Antisense oligonucleotides directed against connective tissue growth factor and uses thereof

ABSTRACT

This invention provides compounds which comprise modified oligonucleotides capable of inhibitory expression of connective tissue factor and composition containing same as well as methods of treating hyperprolific disorders and fibrotic diseases, and of reducing scarring resulting from wound healing using such compounds.

This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 12/547,474, filed Aug. 25, 2009 now U.S. Pat. No. 8,252,762, claiming benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/190,121, filed Aug. 25, 2008, the contents of each of which are hereby incorporated in their entireties into this application.

SEQUENCE LISTING

In accordance with 37 C.F.R. 1.52(e)(5), a Sequence Listing in the form of a text file (entitled “W2023-706220 Sequence Listing.txt,” created on Mar. 20, 2013 and 62 kb in size) is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Throughout this application, certain patents and publications are referenced, the latter by authors, journal citation and publication date. The disclosures of these patents and publications in their entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into this application in order to more fully describe the state of the art to which this invention relates.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to novel antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) useful for treating hyperprolific disorders and fibrotic diseases, and for reducing scarring resulting from wound healing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Antisense technology is emerging as an effective means for reducing the expression of specific gene products and may therefore prove to be uniquely useful in a number of therapeutic, diagnostic, and research applications for the modulation of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expression. (See U.S. Pat. No. 6,965,025B2 to Gaarde et al.)

An antisense compound is an oligomeric compound that is capable of undergoing hybridization to a target nucleic acid (e.g. a target mRNA molecule).

Antisense compounds, compositions and methods for modulating expression of CTGF and for treating disease associated with expression of CTGF are disclosed in aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 6,965,025B2, herein incorporated by reference. However, there remains a need for additional such compounds capable of providing enhanced inhibition of CTGF expression and functions as well as other advantageous properties.

In one embodiment, this invention specifically provides preferred modified antisense oligonucleotides for inhibiting CTGF expression. These have been demonstrated to be significantly, and unexpectedly more potent than previously described ASOs targeting CTGF.

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF; also known as ctgrofact, fibroblast inducible secreted protein, fisp-12, NOV2, insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-related protein 2, IGFBP-rP2, IGFBP-8, HBGF-0.8, Hcs24, and ecogenin) is a member of the CCN (CTGF/CYR61/NOV) family of modular proteins, named for the first family members identified, connective tissue growth factor, cysteine-rich (CYR61), and nephroblastoma overexpressed (NOV), but the family also includes the proteins ELM-1 (expressed in low-metastatic cells), WISP-3 (Wnt-1-induced secreted protein), and COP-1 (WISP-2). CCN proteins have been found to be secreted, extracellular matrix-associated proteins that regulate cellular processes such as adhesion, migration, mitogenesis, differentiation, survival, angiogenesis, atherosclerosis, chondrogenesis, wound healing, tumorigenesis, and vascular and fibrotic diseases like scleroderma (Lau and Lam, Exp. Cell Res., 1999, 248, 44-57). The connective tissue growth factor protein was shown to stimulate DNA synthesis and promote chemotaxis of fibroblasts (Bradham et al., J. Cell Biol., 1991, 114, 1285-1294).

In most cases, a single 2.4-kilobase CTGF transcript has been reported in expression studies, although 3.5- and 7-kilobase transcripts have been reported in glioblastoma cells. Connective tissue growth factor is expressed in fibroblasts during normal differentiation processes that involve extracellular matrix (ECM) production and remodeling, such as embryogenesis and uterine decidualization following implantation. Connective tissue growth factor is also frequently overexpressed in fibrotic skin disorders such as systemic sclerosis, localized skin sclerosis, keloids, scar tissue, eosinophilic fasciitis, nodular fasciitis, and Dupuytren's contracture. Connective tissue growth factor mRNA or protein levels are elevated in fibrotic lesions of major organs and tissues including the liver, kidney, lung, cardiovascular system, pancreas, bowel, eye, and gingiva. In mammary, pancreatic and fibrohistiocytic tumors characterized by significant connective tissue involvement, connective tissue growth factor is overexpressed in the stromal compartment. In many cases, connective tissue growth factor expression is linked spatially and temporally to the profibrogenic cytokine transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) (Moussad and Brigstock, Mol. Genet. Metab., 2000, 71, 276-292).

Connective tissue growth factor has been mapped to human chromosomal region 6q23.1, proximal to the c-myb gene, and chromosomal abnormalities involving this region have been associated with human tumors, such as Wilms' tumor (Martinerie et al., Oncogene, 1992, 7, 2529-2534).

Tumors with significant fibrotic and vascular components exhibit increased CTGF expression, and CTGF may be involved in the pathogenesis of pediatric myofibroblastic tumors. Of 12 pediatric tumors examined, all showed moderate to intense CTGF expression in tumor cells and/or endothelial cells of the associated vasculature (Kasaragod et al., Pediatr. Dev. Pathol., 2001, 4, 37-45).

Connective tissue growth factor mRNA is also specifically upregulated in malignant human leukemic lymphoblasts from children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) (Vorwerk et al., Br. J. Cancer, 2000, 83, 756-760), and both mRNA and protein levels are upregulated by TGF-beta in Hs578T human breast cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner, indicating that CTGF is an important neuroendocrine factor and a critical downstream effector of TGF-beta (Yang et al., J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., 1998, 83, 2593-2596).

In a murine lung fibrosis model, an increase in connective tissue growth factor mRNA expression is also induced by bleomycin, a known lung fibrogenic agent (Lasky et al., Am. J. Physiol., 1998, 275, L365-371), as well as in bronchoalveolar lavage cells from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary sarcoidosis, in comparison to healthy nonsmoking control subjects, indicating that connective tissue growth factor is involved in the fibroproliferative response to injury (Allen et al., Am. J. Respir. Cell Moll. Biol., 1999, 21, 693-700). Similarly, in an experimental model of proliferative glomerulonephritis, connective tissue growth factor mRNA expression was strongly increased in extracapillary and mesangial proliferative lesions and in areas of periglomerular fibrosis. The early glomerular connective tissue growth factor overexpression coincided with a striking upregulation of TGF-beta proteins, and the kinetics of connective tissue growth factor expression strongly suggest a role in glomerular repair, possibly downstream of TGF-beta in this model of transient renal injury (Ito et al., J. Am. Soc. Nephrol., 2001, 12, 472-484).

Disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,876,730 is a substantially pure or isolated polypeptide characterized as having an amino acid sequence corresponding to the carboxy terminal amino acids of a connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) protein, wherein the polypeptide has an amino acid sequence beginning at amino acid residue 247 or 248 from the N-terminus of connective tissue growth factor, an isolated polynucleotide sequence encoding the connective tissue growth factor polypeptide, a recombinant expression vector which contains said polynucleotide, a host cell containing said expression vector, and a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of connective tissue growth factor polypeptide in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Antisense oligonucleotides are generally disclosed (Brigstock and Harding, 1999).

Disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,783,187; 5,585,270; 6,232,064; 6,150,101; 6,069,006 and PCT Publication WO 00/35936 are an isolated polynucleotide encoding the connective tissue growth factor polypeptide, expression vectors, host cells stably transformed or transfected with said vectors; an isolated polynucleotide comprising 5′ untranslated regulatory nucleotide sequences isolated from upstream of connective tissue growth factor, wherein said untranslated regulatory nucleotide sequences comprises a transcriptional and translational initiation region and wherein said sequence is a TGF-beta responsive element; an isolated nucleic acid construct comprising a non-coding regulatory sequence isolated upstream from a connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) gene, wherein said non-coding regulatory sequence is operably associated with a nucleic acid sequence which expresses a protein of interest or antisense RNA, wherein said nucleic acid sequence is heterologous to said non-coding sequence; and a fragment of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) polypeptide having the ability to induce ECM synthesis, collagen synthesis and/or myofibroblast differentiation, comprising an amino acid sequence encoded by at least exon 2 or exon 3 of said polypeptide. Further claimed is a method for identifying a composition which affects TGF-beta-induced connective tissue growth factor expression, and a method of diagnosing a pathological state in a subject suspected of having a pathology selected from the group consisting of fibrotic disease and atherosclerosis, the method comprising obtaining a sample suspected of containing connective tissue growth factor, whereby detecting a difference in the level of connective tissue growth factor in the sample from the subject as compared to the level of connective tissue growth factor in the normal standard sample is diagnostic of a pathology characterized by a cell proliferative disorder associated with connective tissue growth factor in the subject. Further claimed is a method for ameliorating a cell proliferative disorder associated with connective tissue growth factor, comprising administering to a subject having said disorder, at the site of the disorder, a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody or fragment thereof that binds to connective tissue growth factor, wherein said antibody or fragment thereof does not bind to PDGF. Antisense oligonucleotides are generally disclosed (Grotendorst, 2000; Grotendorst and Bradham, 2001; Grotendorst and Bradham, 2000; Grotendorst and Bradham, 1996; Grotendorst and Bradham, 1998; Grotendorst and Bradham, 2000).

Disclosed and claimed in PCT Publication WO 00/27868 is a substantially pure connective tissue growth factor polypeptide or functional fragments thereof, an isolated polynucleotide sequence encoding said polypeptide, said polynucleotide sequence wherein T can also be U, a nucleic acid sequence complementary to said polynucleotide sequence, and fragments of said sequences that are at least 15 bases in length and that will hybridize to DNA which encodes the amino acid sequence of the connective tissue growth factor protein under moderate to highly stringent conditions. Further claimed is an expression vector including said polynucleotide, a host cell stably transformed with said vector, an antibody that binds to said polypeptide, and a method for producing said polypeptide. Further claimed is a method for inhibiting the expression of connective tissue growth factor in a cell comprising contacting the cell with a polynucleotide which binds to a target nucleic acid in the cell, wherein the polynucleotide inhibits the expression of connective tissue growth factor in the cell, wherein the polynucleotide is an antisense polynucleotide, as well as a kit for the detection of connective tissue growth factor expression comprising a carrier means being compartmentalized to receive one or more containers, comprising at least one container containing at least one antisense oligonucleotide that binds to connective tissue growth factor (Schmidt et al., 2000).

Disclosed and claimed in PCT Publication WO 00/13706 is a method for treating or preventing fibrosis, the method comprising administering to a subject in need an effective amount of an agent that modulates, regulates or inhibits the expression or activity of connective tissue growth factor or fragments thereof, and wherein the agent is an antibody, an antisense oligonucleotide, or a small molecule. The method is directed to treating kidney fibrosis and associated renal disorders, in particular, complications associated with diabetes and hypertension (Riser and Denichili, 2000).

Disclosed and claimed in PCT Publication WO 01/29217 is an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from a group comprising NOV1, NOV2 (connective tissue growth factor), and NOV3, a mature form or variant of an amino acid sequence selected from said group, as well as a nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from said group as well as mature and variant forms or fragments of said polypeptides, and the complement of said nucleic acid molecule. Antisense oligonucleotides are generally disclosed (Prayaga et 2001).

Hypertrophic scar formation, in particular, is a major clinical problem in the resolution of severe burns and can give rise to exuberant scarring that result in permanent functional loss and the stigma of disfigurement. Annually, over 1 million people require treatment for burns in the United States. The incidence of hypertrophic scarring following burns is a common outcome that creates a problem of enormous magnitude. Therefore an inhibitor of CTGF such as an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) should be highly effective in preventing the severity of hypertrophic scars subsequent to burns. This activity could be evaluated by applying formulated ASO topically and monitoring the severity of the developed scar subsequent to occurring of the burn.

CTGF may be an attractive target for modulating hypertrophic scarring for several reasons. As a cofactor and downstream mediator of TGF-β1 or TGF-β2, CTGF may represent a more specific target than TGF-β1 or TGF-β2 for gene-directed molecular therapies aimed at scarring, particularly since TGF-β1 or TGF-β2 has pluripotent effects unrelated to scar formation. In addition, CTGF may have TGF-β1 or TGF-β2 independent functions in maintaining a fibrotic phenotype that would be neglected by anti-TGF-β1 or TGF-β2 strategies. Despite advances in understanding CTGF's roles in augmenting fibrosis in multiple organ systems and in chronic dermal diseases such as scleroderma, CTGF's roles in acute scarring and wound healing remain largely observational.

Currently, there are no known therapeutic agents which effectively inhibit the synthesis of connective tissue growth factor and to date, investigative strategies aimed at modulating connective tissue growth factor function have involved the use of sodium butyrate (NaB), function blocking antibodies and antisense oligonucleotides.

Dietary factors are believed to play an important role in both the development and prevention of human cancers, including breast carcinoma. The dietary micronutrient NaB is a major end product of digestion of dietary starch and fiber, and is a potent growth inhibitor that initiates cell differentiation of many cell types in vitro. NaB exerts its biological effects, in part, as a histone deacetylase inhibitor in mammary epithelial cells, induces apoptotic cell death in Hs578T estrogen-non-responsive human breast cancer cells, and can activate different genes involved in cell cycle arrest depending on cell type. NaB specifically upregulates the expression of connective tissue growth factor in a dose-dependent manner, stimulating an increase in both mRNA and protein levels in both cancerous and non-cancerous mammary cells (Tsubaki et al., J. Endocrinol., 2001, 169, 97-110).

TGF-beta has the unique ability to stimulate growth of normal fibroblasts in soft agar, a property of transformed cells. Connective tissue growth factor cannot induce these anchorage-independent growth normal rat kidney (NRK) fibroblasts, but connective tissue growth factor synthesis and action are essential for TGF-beta-induced anchorage-independence. Antibodies to connective tissue growth factor specifically blocked TGF-beta-induced anchorage-independent growth, and NRK fibroblasts transformed with a construct expressing the connective tissue growth factor gene in the antisense orientation were not responsive to TGF-beta in the anchorage-independent growth assay (Kothapalli et al., Cell Growth. Differ., 1997, 8, 61-68). These CTGF-antisense expressing NRK cells were also used to show that TGF-beta-stimulated collagen synthesis is mediated by connective tissue growth factor, indicating that connective tissue growth factor may be a useful target for antifibrotic therapies (Duncan et al., Faseb J., 1999, 13, 1774-1786).

The 3′-untranslated region (UTR) of the human connective tissue growth factor cDNA bears several consensus sequences for regulatory elements. When the 3′-UTR was fused downstream of a reporter gene, it was found to act as a strong cis-acting repressive element, and the antisense 3′-UTR had a similar, but stronger effect. (Kubota et al., FEBS Lett., 1999, 450, 84-88). Comparison of the human and mouse connective tissue growth factor 3′-UTRs revealed a conserved small segment of 91 bases. This region was amplified by RT-PCR from NIH3T3 mouse fibroblasts and used to make a chimeric fusion construct for analysis of its repressive effects. The mouse connective tissue growth factor 3′-UTR in either the sense or the antisense orientation had a strong repressive effect on transcription of the reporter gene, indicating an orientation independence of this regulatory element (Kondo et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 2000, 278, 119-124).

A phosphorothioate antisense oligonucleotide, 16 nucleotides in length and targeted to the translation initiation start site, was used to inhibit expression of connective tissue growth factor and suppress proliferation and migration of bovine aorta vascular endothelial cells in culture (Shimo et al., J. Biochem. (Tokyo), 1998, 124, 130-140). This antisense oligonucleotide was also used to show that connective tissue growth factor induces apoptosis in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells and that TGF-beta-induced apoptosis is mediated, in part, by connective tissue growth factor (Hishikawa et al., J. Biol. Chem., 1999, 274, 37461-37466). The same antisense oligonucleotide was also found to inhibit the TGF-beta-mediated activation of caspase 3 and thus to inhibit induction of TGF-beta-mediated apoptosis in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASC) (Hishikawa et al., Eur. J. Pharmacol., 1999, 385, 287-290) This antisense oligonucleotide was also used to block connective tissue growth factor expression and demonstrate that high blood pressure upregulates expression of connective tissue growth factor in mesangial cells, which in turn enhances ECM protein production and induces apoptosis, contributing to the remodeling of mesangium and ultimately glomerulosclerosis (Hishikawa et al., J. Biol. Chem., 2001, 276, 16797-16803).

Consequently, there remains a long felt need for additional agents capable of effectively inhibiting connective tissue growth factor function.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides compounds which comprise modified oligonucleotides comprising 12-30 linked nucleosides, preferably comprising 20 or at least 12 linked nucleosides, more preferably at least 14 linked nucleosides, of which is capable of inhibitory expression of connective tissue factor. Pharmaceutical and other compositions comprising the antisense compounds of the invention are also provided.

Further provided are methods of treating an animal, particularly a human, having a disease or condition associated with CTGF by administering an amount of such compounds effective to inhibit expression of CTGF, wherein the disease or condition is a hyperprolific disorder, such as cancer and fibrotic diseases. Further provided is a method of reducing scarring resulting from wound healing by administering an amount of such compounds effective to inhibit expression of CTGF.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows the targeted segments or regions on the CTGF genomic sequence, primarily exon targeted segments, against which antisense oligonucleotides to CTGF were made.

FIG. 2 shows the targeted segments or regions on the CTGF mRNA sequence against which antisense oligonucleotides to CTGF were made.

FIG. 3 provides a graphical representation of the testing of antisense oligonucleotides targeting exon sequences on the CTGF mRNA sequence for inhibition of CTGF expression.

FIG. 4 shows the target segments or regions on the CTGF genomic sequence, primarily intron targeted segments, against which antisense oligonucleotide to CTGF were made.

FIG. 5 shows the target segments or regions on the CTGF mRNA sequence against which antisense oligonucleotide to CTGF were made.

FIG. 6 provides a graphical representation of the result of testing of antisense oligonucleotides targeting primarily intron sequences on the CTGF mRNA sequence for inhibition against CTGF expression.

FIG. 7 shows the highly active antisense oligonucleotides against CTGF and compares their activity to that of two previously designed antisense oligonucleotides (ISIS 124238 and ISIS 124212) disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,965,025 B2. FIG. 7A identifying the 8 exon targeting antisense oligonucleotides and FIG. 7B provides preferred sequences of the antisense oligonucleotides.

FIG. 8 provides a graphical representation of the dose response obtained for the nine highly active novel lead antisense sequences of human CTGF for inhibiting CTGF expression in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Sequence 141923 is a negative control, and Sequences 124238 and 124212 are two previously designed sequences.

FIG. 9 provides a graphical representation of the plasma alanine aminotranferease (ALT) (FIG. 9A) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (FIG. 9B) levels in mice following four weeks of treatment with 25 mg/kg or 50 mg/kg antisense oligonucleotide ISIS 412294 (SEQ ID NO: 39), ISIS 412295 (SEQ ID NO: 40), or ISIS 418899 (SEQ ID NO: 166). The results show that the plasma ALT and AST levels in the mice dosed with 25 mg/kg or 50 mg/kg of ISIS 412294 (SEQ ID NO: 39) or ISIS 412295 (SEQ ID NO: 40), or dosed with 25 mg/kg of ISIS 418899 (SEQ ID NO: 166) were similar to the levels in the saline (vehicle) control group; however mice dosed with 50 mg/kg of ISIS 418899 (SEQ ID NO: 166) shows significantly increase ALT and AST levels, above the values observed in the control group.

FIG. 10 provides a graphical representation of the result following four weeks of treatment with antisense oligonucleotides showing that weight gain for the 50 mg/kg 412295-treated group was significantly lower than the weight gain in the control group.

FIG. 11 shows that intradermal treatment of skin wounds in rats with 3.0, 1.0, 0.3 or 0.1 mg of CTGF antisense oligonucleotide resulted in a statistically significant reduction in both CTGF and Col1A2 mRNA expression for all doses. These results clearly demonstrate that inhibition of CTGF expression with a 2′MOE modified antisense oligonucleotide will decrease the deposition of collagen in skin.

FIG. 12 provides a graphical representation showing significant levels of the CTGF antisense oligonucleotide present up to at least day 14 after 50 mg/mL (5 mg total dose) intradermal dosing in rabbits.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, this invention provides a compound which comprises a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 12-30 linked nucleosides, at least a 12 nucleobase sequence portion of which is present within the region selected from nucleotides 718-751, 1388-1423, 1457-1689, 2040-2069, 2120-2147, 2728-2797, 2267-2301, 553-611, 1394-1423, 1469-1508, 1559-1605, 1659-1689, 2100-2129 and 1399-1423 of SEQ ID NO: 9.

In another embodiment, this invention provides a compound which comprises a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 12-30 linked nucleosides, at least a 12 nucleobase sequence portion of which is present within the region selected from nucleotides 2540-2559, 2568-2587, 2623-2647 and 2623-2642 of SEQ ID NO: 10.

In one embodiment, this invention provides a compound which comprises a modified oligonucleotide comprising 12-30 linked nucleosides, at least a 12 nucleobase sequence portion of which is present within nucleobase sequences set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 28, 30, 39, 40, 43, 44, 45, 50, 51, 52, 56, 78, 125 and 166.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the compound comprises 20 or at least 12 linked nucleosides, more preferably at least 14 linked nucleosides, of which is present within the nucleobase sequences set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 28, 30, 39, 40, 43, 44, 45, 50, 51, 52, 56, 78, 125 and 166.

The selection of these sequences was determined by screening results presented in FIGS. 1 to 7 as well as results from a dose response study in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HuVEC) (FIG. 8). Details of the experiment and data are provided in Example 8 in the Example Section below.

The target sequences presented in FIGS. 1 to 6 include both intron and exon targeting sequences. A target region is a structurally defined region of the nucleic acid. For example, a target region may encompass a 3′ UTR, a 5′ UTR, an exon, an intron, a coding region, a translation initiation region, translation termination region, or other defined nucleic acid region. Targeting includes determination of at least one target segment to which an antisense compound hybridizes, such that a desired effect occurs. In this embodiment, the desired effect is a reduction in mRNA target nucleic acid levels.

Multiple sequences with apparent activity greater than previously designed sequences such as SEQ ID 15 (Isis 124238), were identified in both exonic and intronic sequences. A number of new intronic (SEQ NO. 125) and exonic (SEQ NOs. 28, 30, 40, 45, 52, 50 and 78) oligonucleotides appear to be significantly more active than other sequences.

SEQ ID NOs. 39 and 40 were shown to be highly effective inhibitors of CTGF expression in the original ASO screen for activity (data shown here). To further examine whether this area on the CTGF mRNA represents a “hot spot” to target with ASOs, an additional ASO sequence (SEQ ID NO 166) was designated, which is designed to hybridize to sequence just upstream of those targeted by SEQ NOs. 39 and 40. This ASO (SEQ ID NO. 166) was also found to be a highly potent inhibitor of CTGF mRNA expression, demonstrating that this section of the CTGF mRNA is an attractive region to target with ASO inhibitors.

In a certain embodiment the antisense compound is complimentary to a portion of the region of CTGF targeted by active oligonucleotides which stretches from target sites 1396 through 1424. This is the sequence space targeted by Isis 418899, 412295 and 412294 (SEQ ID NOs: 166, 40 and 39, respectively).

This invention also provides a compound which comprises a modified oligonucleotide comprising at least 12, preferably at least 14, linked nucleosides, the nucleobase sequence of which is a portion of one of the nucleobase sequences set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 28, 30, 39, 40, 43, 44, 45, 50, 51, 52, 56, 78, 125 and 166.

The antisense compounds described herein can comprise an oligonucleotide having 12 to 30, 12 to 20, and preferably 14 to 20 linked nucleosides.

In one embodiment of the invention, the modified oligonucleotide is a single-stranded or a double-stranded oligonucleotide.

The present invention employs oligomeric compounds, particularly antisense oligonucleotides, for use in modulating the function of nucleic acid molecules encoding connective tissue growth factor, ultimately modulating the amount of connective tissue growth factor produced. This is accomplished by providing antisense compounds which specifically hybridize with one or more nucleic acids encoding connective tissue growth factor. As used herein, the terms “target nucleic acid” and “nucleic acid encoding connective tissue growth factor” encompass DNA encoding connective tissue growth factor, RNA (including pre-mRNA and mRNA) transcribed from such DNA, and also cDNA derived from such RNA. The specific hybridization of an oligomeric compound with its target nucleic acid interferes with the normal function of the nucleic acid. This modulation of function of a target nucleic acid by compounds which specifically hybridize to it is generally referred to as “antisense”. The functions of DNA to be interfered with include replication and transcription. The functions of RNA to be interfered with include all vital functions such as, for example, translocation of the RNA to the site of protein translation, translation of protein from the RNA, splicing of the RNA to yield one or more mRNA species, and catalytic activity which may be engaged in or facilitated by the RNA. The overall effect of such interference with target nucleic acid function is modulation of the expression of connective tissue growth factor. In the context of the present invention, “modulation” means either an increase (stimulation) or a decrease (inhibition) in the expression of a gene. In the context of the present invention, inhibition is the preferred form of modulation of gene expression and mRNA is a preferred target.

Target Nucleic Acids, Target Regions and Nucleotide Sequences

It is preferred to target specific nucleic acids for antisense. “Targeting” an antisense compound to a particular nucleic acid, in the context of this invention, is a multistep process.

It is understood that the sequence set forth in each SEQ ID NO in the Examples contained herein is independent of any modification to a sugar moiety, an internucleoside linkage, or a nucleobase. As such, antisense compounds defined by a SEQ ID NO may comprise, independently, one or more modifications to a sugar moiety, an internucleoside linkage, or a nucleobase.

Antisense compounds described by Isis Number (Isis No) indicate a combination of nucleobase sequence and motif.

In one embodiment, a target region is a structurally defined region of the nucleic acid. For example, a target region may encompass a 3′ UTR, a 5′ UTR, an exon, an intron, a coding region, a translation initiation region, translation termination region, or other defined nucleic acid region. The structurally defined regions for the nucleic acid can be obtained by accession number from sequence databases such as NCBI and such information is incorporated herein by reference. In other embodiments, a target region may encompass the sequence from a 5′ target site of one target segment within the target region to a 3′ target site of another target segment within the target region.

Targeting includes determination of at least one target segment to which an antisense compound hybridizes, such that a desired effect occurs. In certain embodiments, the desired effect is a reduction in mRNA target nucleic acid levels. In other embodiments, the desired effect is reduction of levels of protein encoded by the target nucleic acid or a phenotypic change associated with the target nucleic acid.

A target region may contain one or more target segments. Multiple target segments within a target region may be overlapping. Alternatively, they may be non-overlapping. In one embodiment, target segments within a target region are separated by no more than about 300 nucleotides. In other embodiments, target segments within a target region are separated by no more than about, 250, 200, 150, 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30, 20, or 10 nucleotides on the target nucleic acid. In another embodiment, target segments within a target region are separated by no more than about 5 nucleotides on the target nucleic acid. In additional embodiments, target segments are contiguous.

Suitable target segments may be found within a 5′ UTR, a coding region, a 3′ UTR, an intron, or an exon. Target segments containing a start codon or a stop codon are also suitable target segments. A suitable target segment may specifically exclude a certain structurally defined region such as the start codon or stop codon.

The determination of suitable target segments may include a comparison of the sequence of a target nucleic acid to other sequences throughout the genome. For example, the BLAST algorithm may be used to identify regions of similarity amongst different nucleic acids. This comparison can prevent the selection of antisense compound sequences that may hybridize in a non-specific manner to sequences other than a selected target nucleic acid (i.e., non-target or off-target sequences).

There may be variation in activity (e.g., as defined by percent reduction of target nucleic acid levels) of the antisense compounds within an active target region. In one embodiment, reductions in CTGF mRNA levels are indicative of inhibition of CTGF expression. Reductions in levels of a CTGF protein are also indicative of inhibition of target mRNA expression. Further, phenotypic changes are indicative of inhibition of CTGF expression. For example, an increase in measures of CTGF is indicative of inhibition of CTGF expression.

In detail, the targeting process usually begins with the identification of a nucleic acid sequence whose function is to be modulated. This may be, for example, a cellular gene (or mRNA transcribed from the gene) whose expression is associated with a particular disorder or disease state, or a nucleic acid molecule from an infectious agent. In the present invention, the target is a nucleic acid molecule encoding connective tissue growth factor. The targeting process also includes determination of a site or sites within this gene for the antisense interaction to occur such that the desired effect, e.g., detection or modulation of expression of the protein, will result. Within the context of the present invention, a preferred intragenic site is the region encompassing the translation initiation or termination codon of the open reading frame (ORF) of the gene. Since, as is known in the art, the translation initiation codon is typically 5′-AUG (in transcribed mRNA molecules; 5′-ATG in the corresponding DNA molecule), the translation initiation codon is also referred to as the “AUG codon,” the “start codon” or the “AUG start codon”. A minority of genes have a translation initiation codon having the RNA sequence 5′-GUG, 5′-UUG or 5′-CUG, and 5′-AUA, 5′-ACG and 5′-CUG have been shown to function in vivo. Thus, the terms “translation initiation codon” and “start codon” can encompass many codon sequences, even though the initiator amino acid in each instance is typically methionine (in eukaryotes) or formylmethionine (in prokaryotes). It is also known in the art that eukaryotic and prokaryotic genes may have two or more alternative start codons, any one of which may be preferentially utilized for translation initiation in a particular cell type or tissue, or under a particular set of conditions. In the context of the invention, “start codon” and “translation initiation codon” refer to the codon or codons that are used in vivo to initiate translation of an mRNA molecule transcribed from a gene encoding connective tissue growth factor, regardless of the sequence(s) of such codons.

It is also known in the art that a translation termination codon (or “stop codon”) of a gene may have one of three sequences, i.e., 5′-UAA, 5′-UAG and 5′-UGA (the corresponding DNA sequences are 5′-TAA, 5′-TAG and 5′-TGA, respectively). The terms “start codon region” and “translation initiation codon region” refer to a portion of such an mRNA or gene that encompasses from about 25 to about 50 contiguous nucleotides in either direction (i.e., 5′ or 3′) from a translation initiation codon. Similarly, the terms “stop codon region” and “translation termination codon region” refer to a portion of such an mRNA or gene that encompasses from about 25 to about 50 contiguous nucleotides in either direction (i.e., 5′ or 3′) from a translation termination codon.

The open reading frame (ORF) or “coding region,” which is known in the art to refer to the region between the translation initiation codon and the translation termination codon, is also a region which may be targeted effectively. Other target regions include the 5′ untranslated region (5′ UTR), known in the art to refer to the portion of an mRNA in the 5′ direction from the translation initiation codon, and thus including nucleotides between the 5′ cap site and the translation initiation codon of an mRNA or corresponding nucleotides on the gene, and the 3′ untranslated region (3′ UTR), known in the art to refer to the portion of an mRNA in the 3′ direction from the translation termination codon, and thus including nucleotides between the translation termination codon and 3′ end of an mRNA or corresponding nucleotides on the gene. The 5′ cap of an mRNA comprises an N7-methylated guanosine residue joined to the 5′-most residue of the mRNA via a 5′-5′ triphosphate linkage. The 5′ cap region of an mRNA is considered to include the 5′ cap structure itself as well as the first 50 nucleotides adjacent to the cap. The 5′ cap region may also be a preferred target region.

Although some eukaryotic mRNA transcripts are directly translated, many contain one or more regions, known as “introns,” which are excised from a transcript before it is translated. The remaining (and therefore translated) regions are known as “exons” and are spliced together to form a continuous mRNA sequence. mRNA splice sites, i.e., intron-exon junctions, may also be preferred target regions, and are particularly useful in situations where aberrant splicing is implicated in disease, or where an overproduction of a particular mRNA splice product is implicated in disease. Aberrant fusion junctions due to rearrangements or deletions are also preferred targets. It has also been found that introns can also be effective, and therefore preferred, target regions for antisense compounds targeted, for example, to DNA or pre-mRNA.

It is also known in the art that alternative RNA transcripts can be produced from the same genomic region of DNA. These alternative transcripts are generally known as “variants”. More specifically, “pre-mRNA variants” are transcripts produced from the same genomic DNA that differ from other transcripts produced from the same genomic DNA in either their start or stop position and contain both intronic and extronic regions.

Upon excision of one or more exon or intron regions or portions thereof during splicing, pre-mRNA variants produce smaller “mRNA variants”. Consequently, mRNA variants are processed pre-mRNA variants and each unique pre-mRNA variant must always produce a unique mRNA variant as a result of splicing. These mRNA variants are also known as “alternative splice variants”. If no splicing of the pre-mRNA variant occurs then the pre-mRNA variant is identical to the mRNA variant.

It is also known in the art that variants can be produced through the use of alternative signals to start or stop transcription and that pre-mRNAs and mRNAs can possess more that one start codon or stop codon. Variants that originate from a pre-mRNA or mRNA that use alternative start codons are known as “alternative start variants” of that pre-mRNA or mRNA. Those transcripts that use an alternative stop codon are known as “alternative stop variants” of that pre-mRNA or mRNA. One specific type of alternative stop variant is the “polyA variant” in which the multiple transcripts produced result from the alternative selection of one of the “polyA stop signals” by the transcription machinery, thereby producing transcripts that terminate at unique polyA sites.

Antisense compounds are commonly used as research reagents and diagnostics. For example, antisense oligonucleotides, which are able to inhibit gene expression with exquisite specificity, are often used by those of ordinary skill to elucidate the function of particular genes. Antisense compounds are also used, for example, to distinguish between functions of various members of a biological pathway. Antisense modulation has, therefore, been harnessed for research use.

For use in kits and diagnostics, the antisense compounds of the present invention, either alone or in combination with other antisense compounds or therapeutics, can be used as tools in differential and/or combinatorial analyses to elucidate expression patterns of a portion or the entire complement of genes expressed within cells and tissues.

Expression patterns within cells or tissues treated with one or more antisense compounds are compared to control cells or tissues not treated with antisense compounds and the patterns produced are analyzed for differential levels of gene expression as they pertain, for example, to disease association, signaling pathway, cellular localization, expression level, size, structure or function of the genes examined. These analyses can be performed on stimulated or unstimulated cells and in the presence or absence of other compounds which affect expression patterns.

Examples of methods of gene expression analysis known in the art include DNA arrays or microarrays (Brazma and Vilo, FEDS Lett., 2000, 480, 17-24; Celis, et al., FEBS Lett., 2000, 480, 2-16), SAGE (serial analysis of gene expression) (Madden, et al., Drug Discov. Today, 2000, 5, 415-425), READS (restriction enzyme amplification of digested cDNAs) (Prashar and Weissman, Methods Enzymol., 1999, 303, 258-72), TOGA (total gene expression analysis) (Sutcliffe, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 2000, 97, 1976-81), protein arrays and proteomics (Celis, et al., FEBS Lett., 2000, 480, 2-16; Jungblut, et al., Electrophoresis, 1999, 20, 2100-10), expressed sequence tag (EST) sequencing (Celis, et al., FEBS Lett., 2000, 480, 2-16; Larsson, et al., J. Biotechnol., 2000, 80, 143-57), subtractive RNA fingerprinting (SuRF) (Fuchs, et al., Anal. Biochem., 2000, 286, 91-98; Larson, et al., Cytometry, 2000, 41, 203-208), subtractive cloning, differential display (DD) (Jurecic and Belmont, Curr. Opin. Microbiol., 2000, 3, 316-21), comparative genomic hybridization (Carulli, et al., J. Cell Biochem. Suppl., 1998, 31, 286-96), FISH (fluorescent in situ hybridization) techniques (Going and Gusterson, Eur. J. Cancer, 1999, 35, 1895-904) and mass spectrometry methods (reviewed in (To, Comb. Chem. High Throughput Screen, 2000, 3, 235-41).

Antisense Compounds

In the context of this invention, the term “oligonucleotide” refers to an oligomer or polymer of ribonucleic acid (RNA) or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or mimetics thereof. This term includes oligonucleotides composed of naturally-occurring nucleobases, sugars and covalent internucleoside (backbone) linkages as well as oligonucleotides having non-naturally-occurring portions which function similarly. Such modified or substituted oligonucleotides are often preferred over native forms because of desirable properties such as, for example, enhanced cellular uptake, enhanced affinity for nucleic acid target and increased stability in the presence of nucleases.

While antisense oligonucleotides are a preferred form of antisense compound, the present invention comprehends other oligomeric antisense compounds, including but not limited to oligonucleotide mimetics.

Antisense compound means an oligomeric compound capable of undergoing hybridization to a target nucleic acid through hydrogen bonding. Antisense compounds include, but are not limited to oligonucleotides, oligonucleosides, oligonucleotide analogs, oligonucleotide mimetics, antisense oligonucleotides, siRNA, RNAi, ribozymes, external guide sequence (EGS) oligonucleotides (oligozymes), and other oligonucleotides which hybridize to the target nucleic acid and modulate its expression.

In certain embodiments, an antisense compound has a nucleobase sequence that, when written in the 5′ to 3′ direction, comprises the reverse complement of the target segment of a target nucleic acid to which it is targeted. In certain such embodiments, an antisense oligonucleotide has a nucleobase sequence that, when written in the 5′ to 3′ direction, comprises the reverse complement of the target segment of a target nucleic acid to which it is targeted.

In certain embodiments, an antisense compound targeted to a nucleic acid is 12 to 30 subunits in length. In other words, antisense compounds are from 12 to 30 linked subunits. In other embodiments, the antisense compound is 8 to 80, 12 to 50, 15 to 30, 18 to 24, 19 to 22, or 20 linked subunits. In certain such embodiments, the antisense compounds are 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, or 80 linked subunits in length, or a range defined by any two of the above values. In some embodiments the antisense compound is an antisense oligonucleotide, and the linked subunits are nucleotides.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the compound comprises 20 or at least 14 linked nucleosides, wherein the modified oligonucleotide has a sequence which is 100% identical to one of the sequences set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 28, 30, 39, 40, 45, 52, 56, 78, 125 and 166. In another preferred embodiment, the lead compound of interest has the sequence set forth in SEQ ID No: 39 (ISIS 412294).

In certain embodiments, a shortened or truncated antisense compound targeted to a nucleic acid has a single subunit deleted from the 5′ end (5′ truncation), or alternatively from the 3′ end (3′ truncation). A shortened or truncated antisense compound targeted to a nucleic acid may have two subunits deleted from the 5′ end, or alternatively may have two subunits deleted from the 3′ end, of the antisense compound. Alternatively, the deleted nucleosides may be dispersed throughout the antisense compound, for example, in an antisense compound having one nucleoside deleted from the 5′ end and one nucleoside deleted from the 3′ end.

When a single additional subunit is present in a lengthened antisense compound, the additional subunit may be located at the 5′ or 3′ end of the antisense compound. When two are more additional subunits are present, the added subunits may be adjacent to each other, for example, in an antisense compound having two subunits added to the 5′ end (5′ addition), or alternatively to the 3′ end (3′ addition), of the antisense compound. Alternatively, the added subunits may be dispersed throughout the antisense compound, for example, in an antisense compound having one subunit added to the 5′ end and one subunit added to the 3′ end.

It is possible to increase or decrease the length of an antisense compound, such as an antisense oligonucleotide, and/or introduce mismatch bases without eliminating activity. For example, in Woolf at al. (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:7305-7309, 1992), a series of antisense oligonucleotides 13-25 nucleobases in length were tested for their ability to induce cleavage of a target RNA in an oocyte injection model. Antisense oligonucleotides 25 nucleobases in length with 8 or mismatch bases near the ends of the antisense oligonucleotides were able to direct specific cleavage of the target mRNA, albeit to a lesser extent than the antisense oligonucleotides that contained no mismatches. Similarly, target specific cleavage was achieved using 13 nucleobase antisense oligonucleotides, including those with 1 or 3 mismatches.

Gautschi et al (J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 93:463-471, March 2001) demonstrated the ability of an oligonucleotide having 100% complementarity to the bcl-2 mRNA and having 3 mismatches to the bcl-xL mRNA to reduce the expression of both bcl-2 and bcl-xL in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, this oligonucleotide demonstrated potent anti-tumor activity in vivo.

Maher and Dolnick (Nuc. Acid. Res. 16:3341-3358, 1988) tested a series of tandem 14 nucleobase antisense oligonucleotides, and a 28 and 42 nucleobase antisense oligonucleotides comprised of the sequence of two or three of the tandem antisense oligonucleotides, respectively, for their ability to arrest translation of human DHFR in a rabbit reticulocyte assay. Each of the three 14 nucleobase antisense oligonucleotides alone was able to inhibit translation, albeit at a more modest level than the 28 or 42 nucleobase antisense oligonucleotides.

Bhanot et al. (PCT/US2007/068401) provided short antisense compounds, including compounds comprising chemically-modified high-affinity monomers 8 to 16 monomers in length. These short antisense compounds were shown to be useful for reducing target nucleic acids and/or proteins in cells, tissues, and animals with increased potency and improved therapeutic index. Short antisense compounds were effective at lower doses than previously described antisense compounds, allowing for a reduction in toxicity and cost of treatment. In addition, the described short antisense compounds have greater potential for oral dosing.

Hybridizations

Once one or more target sites have been identified, oligonucleotides are chosen which are sufficiently complementary to the target, i.e., hybridize sufficiently well and with sufficient specificity, to give the desired effect.

In the context of this invention, “hybridization” means hydrogen bonding, which may be Watson-Crick, Hoogsteen or reversed Hoogsteen hydrogen bonding, between complementary nucleoside or nucleotide bases. For example, adenine and thymine are complementary nucleobases which pair through the formation of hydrogen bonds.

In some embodiments, hybridization occurs between an antisense compound disclosed herein and a nucleic acid. The most common mechanism of hybridization involves hydrogen bonding between complementary nucleobases of the nucleic acid molecules.

Hybridization can occur under varying conditions. Stringent conditions are sequence-dependent and are determined by the nature and composition of the nucleic acid molecules to be hybridized.

Methods of determining whether a sequence is specifically hybridizable to a target nucleic acid are well known in the art. In one embodiment, the antisense compounds provided herein are specifically hybridizable with a nucleic acid.

Complementarity

“Complementary,” as used herein, refers to the capacity for precise pairing between two nucleotides. For example, if a nucleotide at a certain position of an oligonucleotide is capable of hydrogen bonding with a nucleotide at the same position of a DNA or RNA molecule, then the oligonucleotide and the DNA or RNA are considered to be complementary to each other at that position. The oligonucleotide and the DNA or RNA are complementary to each other when a sufficient number of corresponding positions in each molecule are occupied by nucleotides which can hydrogen bond with each other. Thus, “specifically hybridizable” and “complementary” are terms which are used to indicate a sufficient degree of complementarity or precise pairing such that stable and specific binding occurs between the oligonucleotide and the DNA or RNA target. It is understood in the art that the sequence of an antisense compound need not be 100% complementary to that of its target nucleic acid to be specifically hybridizable. An antisense compound is specifically hybridizable when binding of the compound to the target DNA or RNA molecule interferes with the normal function of the target DNA or RNA to cause a loss of utility, and there is a sufficient degree of complementarity to avoid non-specific binding of the antisense compound to non-target sequences under conditions in which specific binding is desired, i.e., under physiological conditions in the case of in vivo assays or therapeutic treatment, and in the case of in vitro assays, under conditions in which the assays are performed.

Antisense and other compounds of the invention which hybridize to the target and inhibit expression of the target are identified through experimentation, and the sequences of these compounds are hereinbelow identified as preferred embodiments of the invention. The target sites to which these preferred sequences are complementary are hereinbelow referred to as “active sites” and are therefore preferred sites for targeting. Therefore another embodiment of the invention encompasses compounds which hybridize to these active sites.

An antisense compound and a target nucleic acid are complementary to each other when a sufficient number of nucleobases of the antisense compound can hydrogen bond with the corresponding nucleobases of the target nucleic acid, such that a desired effect will occur (e.g., antisense inhibition of a target nucleic acid, such as a CTGF nucleic acid).

Non-complementary nucleobases between an antisense compound and a CTGF nucleic acid may be tolerated provided that the antisense compound remains able to specifically hybridize to a target nucleic acid. Moreover, an antisense compound may hybridize over one or more segments of a CTGF nucleic acid such that intervening or adjacent segments are not involved in the hybridization event (e.g., a loop structure, mismatch or hairpin structure).

In some embodiments, the antisense compounds provided herein are at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% complementary to a CTGF nucleic acid. Percent complementarity of an antisense compound with a target nucleic acid can be determined using routine methods.

For example, an antisense compound in which 18 of 20 nucleobases of the antisense compound are complementary to a target region, and would therefore specifically hybridize, would represent 90 percent complementarity. In this example, the remaining noncomplementary nucleobases may be clustered or interspersed with complementary nucleobases and need not be contiguous to each other or to complementary nucleobases. As such, an antisense compound which is 18 nucleobases in length having 4 (four) noncomplementary nucleobases which are flanked by two regions of complete complementarity with the target nucleic acid would have 77.8% overall complementarity with the target nucleic acid and would thus fall within the scope of the present invention. Percent complementarity of an antisense compound with a region of a target nucleic acid can be determined routinely using BLAST programs (basic local alignment search tools) and PowerBLAST programs known in the art (Altschul et al., J. Mol. Biol., 1990, 215, 403 410; Zhang and Madden, Genome Res., 1997, 7, 649 656). Percent homology, sequence identity or complementarity, can be determined by, for example, the Gap program (Wisconsin Sequence Analysis Package, Version 8 for Unix, Genetics Computer Group, University Research Park, Madison Wis.), using default settings, which uses the algorithm of Smith and Waterman (Adv. Appl. Math., 1981, 2, 482 489).

In other embodiments, the antisense compounds provided herein are fully complementary (i.e. 100% complementary) to a target nucleic acid. For example, antisense compound may be fully complementary to a CTGF nucleic acid, or a target region, or a target segment or target sequence thereof. As used herein, “fully complementary” means each nucleobase of an antisense compound is capable of precise base pairing with the corresponding nucleobases of a target nucleic acid.

The location of a non-complementary nucleobase may be at the 5′ end or 3′ end of the antisense compound. Alternatively, the non-complementary nucleobase or nucleobases may be at an internal position of the antisense compound. When two or more non-complementary nucleobases are present, they may be contiguous (i.e. linked) or non-contiguous. In one embodiment, a non-complementary nucleobase is located in the wing segment of a gapmer antisense oligonucleotide.

In one embodiment, antisense compounds up to 20 nucleobases in length comprise no more than 4, no more than 3, no more than 2 or no more than 1 non-complementary nucleobase(s) relative to a target nucleic acid, such as a CTGF nucleic acid.

In another embodiment, antisense compounds up to 30 nucleobases in length comprise no more than 6, no more than 5, no more than 4, no more than 3, no more than 2 or no more than 1 non-complementary nucleobase(s) relative to a target nucleic acid, such as a CTGF nucleic acid.

The antisense compounds provided herein also include those which are complementary to a portion of a target nucleic acid. As used herein, “portion” refers to a defined number of contiguous (i.e. linked) nucleobases within a region or segment of a target nucleic acid. A “portion” can also refer to a defined number of contiguous nucleobases of an antisense compound. In one embodiment, the antisense compounds are complementary to at least an 8 nucleobase portion of a target segment. In another embodiment, the antisense compounds are complementary to at least a 12 nucleobase portion of a target segment. In yet another embodiment, the antisense compounds are complementary to at least a 15 nucleobase portion of a target segment. Also contemplated are antisense compounds that are complementary to at least a 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, or more nucleobase portion of a target segment, or a range defined by any two of these values.

Identity

The antisense compounds provided herein may also have a defined percent identity to a particular nucleotide sequence, SEQ ID NO, or compound represented by a specific Isis number. As used herein, an antisense compound is identical to the sequence disclosed herein if it has the same nucleobase pairing ability. For example, a RNA which contains uracil in place of thymidine in a disclosed DNA sequence would be considered identical to the DNA sequence since both uracil and thymidine pair with adenine. Shortened and lengthened versions of the antisense compounds described herein as well as compounds having non-identical bases relative to the antisense compounds provided herein also are contemplated. The non-identical bases may be adjacent to each other or dispersed throughout the antisense compound. Percent identity of an antisense compound is calculated according to the number of bases that have identical base pairing relative to the sequence to which it is being compared.

In one embodiment, the antisense compounds are at least 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical to one or more of the antisense compounds or SEQ ID NOs, or a portion thereof, disclosed herein.

Modifications

In a certain embodiment of the invention, modifications to antisense compounds encompass substitutions or changes to internucleoside linkages, sugar moieties, or nucleobases.

In one embodiment of the invention the compound comprises at least one modification selected from the group consisting of a modified internucleoside linkage, a modified sugar, and a modified nucleobase.

Although antisense oligonucleotides containing a variety of modified internucleoside linkages may be employed, the currently preferred modified internucleoside linkage is a phosphothioate linkage between one or more of the nucleosides or wherein all of the internucleoside linkages are phosphothioate internucleoside linkages. In general, it is also preferred that the antisense oligonucleotide contains at least one and typically more than one modified sugar, wherein the sugar is a bicyclic sugar. Although various modified sugars may be employed it is presently preferred to employ a 2′-O-methoxyethyl sugar.

Further, at least one and typically more than one of the nucleobases contained in the antisense oligonucleotide will be a modified nucleotide such as a 5-methylcytosine.

A nucleoside is a base-sugar combination. The nucleobase (also known as base) portion of the nucleoside is normally a heterocyclic base moiety. Nucleotides are nucleosides that further include a phosphate group covalently linked to the sugar portion of the nucleoside. For those nucleosides that include a pentofuranosyl sugar, the phosphate group can be linked to the 2′, 3′ or 5′ hydroxyl moiety of the sugar. Oligonucleotides are formed through the covalent linkage of adjacent nucleosides to one another, to form a linear polymeric oligonucleotide. Within the oligonucleotide structure, the phosphate groups are commonly referred to as forming the internucleoside linkages of the oligonucleotide.

Modifications to antisense compounds encompass substitutions or changes to internucleoside linkages, sugar moieties, or nucleobases. Modified antisense compounds are often preferred over native forms because of desirable properties such as, for example, enhanced cellular uptake, enhanced affinity for nucleic acid target, increased stability in the presence of nucleases, or increased inhibitory activity.

Chemically modified nucleosides may also be employed to increase the binding affinity of a shortened or truncated antisense oligonucleotide for its target nucleic acid. Consequently, comparable results can often be obtained with shorter antisense compounds that have such chemically modified nucleosides.

Modified Internucleotide Linkages

The naturally occurring internucleoside linkage of RNA and DNA is a 3′ to 5′ phosphodiester linkage. Antisense compounds having one or more modified, i.e. non-naturally occurring, internucleoside linkages are often selected over antisense compounds having naturally occurring internucleoside linkages because of desirable properties such as, for example, enhanced cellular uptake, enhanced affinity for target nucleic acids, and increased stability in the presence of nucleases.

Oligonucleotides having modified internucleoside linkages include internucleoside linkages that retain a phosphorus atom as well as internucleoside linkages that do not have a phosphorus atom. Representative phosphorus containing internucleoside linkages include, but are not limited to, phosphodiesters, phosphotriesters, methylphosphonates, phosphoramidate, and phosphorothioates. Methods of preparation of phosphorous-containing and non-phosphorous-containing linkages are well known.

In one embodiment, antisense compounds targeted to a CTGF nucleic acid comprise one or more modified internucleoside linkages. In some embodiments, the modified internucleoside linkages are phosphorothioate linkages. In other embodiments, each internucleoside linkage of an antisense compound is a phosphorothioate internucleoside linkage.

As is known in the art, a nucleoside is a base-sugar combination. The base portion of the nucleoside is normally a heterocyclic base. The two most common classes of such heterocyclic bases are the purines and the pyrimidines. Nucleotides are nucleosides that further include a phosphate group covalently linked to the sugar portion of the nucleoside. For those nucleosides that include a pentofuranosyl sugar, the phosphate group can be linked to either the 2′, 3′ or 5′ hydroxyl moiety of the sugar. In forming oligonucleotides, the phosphate groups covalently link adjacent nucleosides to one another to form a linear polymeric compound. In turn the respective ends of this linear polymeric structure can be further joined to form a circular structure, however, open linear structures are generally preferred. Within the oligonucleotide structure, the phosphate groups are commonly referred to as forming the internucleoside backbone of the oligonucleotide. The normal linkage or backbone of RNA and DNA is a 3′ to 5′ phosphodiester linkage.

Specific examples of preferred antisense compounds useful in this invention include oligonucleotides containing modified backbones or non-natural internucleoside linkages. As defined in this specification, oligonucleotides having modified backbones include those that retain a phosphorus atom in the backbone and those that do not have a phosphorus atom in the backbone. For the purposes of this specification, and as sometimes referenced in the art, modified oligonucleotides that do not have a phosphorus atom in their internucleoside backbone can also be considered to be oligonucleosides.

Preferred modified oligonucleotide backbones include, for example, phosphorothioates, chiral phosphorothioates, phosphorodithioates, phosphotriesters, aminoalkylphosphotri-esters, methyl and other alkyl phosphonates including 3′-alkylene phosphonates, 5′-alkylene phosphonates and chiral phosphonates, phosphinates, phosphoramidates including 3′-amino phosphoramidate and aminoalkylphosphoramidates, thiono-phosphoramidates, thionoalkylphosphonates, thionoalkylphospho-triesters, selenophosphates and boranophosphates having normal 3′-5′ linkages, 2′-5′ linked analogs of these, and those having inverted polarity wherein one or more internucleotide linkages is a 3′ to 3′, 5′ to 5′ or 2′ to 2′ linkage. Preferred oligonucleotides having inverted polarity comprise a single 3′ to 3′ linkage at the 3′-most internucleotide linkage i.e. a single inverted nucleoside residue which may be abasic (the nucleobase is missing or has a hydroxyl group in place thereof). Various salts, mixed salts and free acid forms are also included.

Representative United States patents that teach the preparation of the above phosphorus-containing linkages include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,687,808; 4,469,863; 4,476,301; 5,023,243; 5,177,196; 5,188,897; 5,264,423; 5,276,019; 5,278,302; 5,286,717; 5,321,131; 5,399,676; 5,405,939; 5,453,496; 5,455,233; 5,466,677; 5,476,925; 5,519,126; 5,536,821; 5,541,306; 5,550,111; 5,563,253; 5,571,799; 5,587,361; 5,194,599; 5,565,555; 5,527,899; 5,721,218; 5,672,697 and 5,625,050, certain of which are commonly owned with this application, and each of which is herein incorporated by reference.

Preferred modified oligonucleotide backbones that do not include a phosphorus atom therein have backbones that are formed by short chain alkyl or cycloalkyl internucleoside linkages, mixed heteroatom and alkyl or cycloalkyl internucleoside linkages, or one or more short chain heteroatomic or heterocyclic internucleoside linkages. These include those having morpholino linkages (formed in part from the sugar portion of a nucleoside); siloxane backbones; sulfide, sulfoxide and sulfone backbones; formacetyl and thioformacetyl backbones; methylene formacetyl and thioformacetyl backbones; riboacetyl backbones; alkene containing backbones; sulfamate backbones; methyleneimino and methylenehydrazino backbones; sulfonate and sulfonamide backbones; amide backbones; and others having mixed N, O, S and CH₂ component parts.

Representative United States patents that teach the preparation of the above oligonucleosides include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,034,506; 5,166,315; 5,185,444; 5,214,134; 5,216,141; 5,235,033; 5,264,562; 5,264,564; 5,405,938; 5,434,257; 5,466,677; 5,470,967; 5,489,677; 5,541,307; 5,561,225; 5,596,086; 5,602,240; 5,610,289; 5,602,240; 5,608,046; 5,610,289; 5,618,704; 5,623,070; 5,663,312; 5,633,360; 5,677,437; 5,792,608; 5,646,269 and 5,677,439, certain of which are commonly owned with this application, and each of which is herein incorporated by reference.

In other preferred oligonucleotide mimetics, both the sugar and the internucleoside linkage, i.e., the backbone, of the nucleotide units are replaced with novel groups. The base units are maintained for hybridization with an appropriate nucleic acid target compound. One such oligomeric compound, an oligonucleotide mimetic that has been shown to have excellent hybridization properties, is referred to as a peptide nucleic acid (PNA). In PNA compounds, the sugar-backbone of an oligonucleotide is replaced with an amide containing backbone, in particular an aminoethylglycine backbone. The nucleobases are retained and are bound directly or indirectly to aza nitrogen atoms of the amide portion of the backbone. Representative United States patents that teach the preparation of PNA compounds include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,539,082; 5,714,331; and 5,719,262, each of which is herein incorporated by reference. Further teaching of PNA compounds can be found in Nielsen et al., Science, 1991, 254, 1497-1500.

Most preferred embodiments of the invention are oligonucleotides with phosphorothioate backbones and oligonucleosides with heteroatom backbones, and in particular —CH₂—NH—O—CH₂—, —CH₂—N(CH₃)—O—CH₂— [known as a methylene (methylimino) or MMI backbone], —CH₂—O—N(CH₃)—CH₂—, —CH₂—N(CH₃)—N(CH₃)—CH₂— and —O—N(CH₃)—CH₂—CH₂— [wherein the native phosphodiester backbone is represented as —O—P—O—CH₂—] of the above referenced U.S. Pat. No. 5,489,677, and the amide backbones of the above referenced U.S. Pat. No. 5,602,240. Also preferred are oligonucleotides having morpholino backbone structures of the above-referenced U.S. Pat. No. 5,034,506.

Modified Sugar Moieties

Modified oligonucleotides may also contain one or more substituted sugar moieties. For example, the furanosyl sugar ring can be modified in a number of ways including substitution with a substituent group, bridging to form a bicyclic nucleic acid “BNA” and substitution of the 4′-O with a heteroatom such as S or N(R) as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,399,845 to Seth et al., hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Other examples of BNAs are described in published International Patent Application No. WO 2007/146511, hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Antisense compounds of the invention can optionally contain one or more nucleotides having modified sugar moieties. Sugar modifications may impart nuclease stability, binding affinity or some other beneficial biological property to the antisense compounds. The furanosyl sugar ring of a nucleoside can be modified in a number of ways including, but not limited to: addition of a substituent group, particularly at the 2′ position; bridging of two non-geminal ring atoms to form a bicyclic nucleic acid (BNA); and substitution of an atom or group such as —S—, —N(R)— or —C(R1)(R2) for the ring oxygen at the 4′-position. Modified sugars include, but are not limited to: substituted sugars, especially 2′-substituted sugars having a 2′-F, 2′-OCH2 (2′-OMe) or a 2′-O(CH2)2-OCH3 (2′-O-methoxyethyl or 2′-MOE) substituent group; and bicyclic modified sugars (BNAs), having a 4′-(CH2)n-O-2′ bridge, where n=1 or n=2. Methods for the preparations of modified sugars are well known to those skilled in the art.

In certain embodiments, a 2′-modified nucleoside has a bicyclic sugar moiety. In certain such embodiments, the bicyclic sugar moiety is a D sugar in the alpha configuration. In certain such embodiments, the bicyclic sugar moiety is a D sugar in the beta configuration. In certain such embodiments, the bicyclic sugar moiety is an L sugar in the alpha configuration. In certain such embodiments, the bicyclic sugar moiety is an L sugar in the beta configuration.

In certain embodiments, the bicyclic sugar moiety comprises a bridge group between the 2′ and the 4′-carbon atoms. In certain such embodiments, the bridge group comprises from 1 to 8 linked biradical groups. In certain embodiments, the bicyclic sugar moiety comprises from 1 to 4 linked biradical groups. In certain embodiments, the bicyclic sugar moiety comprises 2 or 3 linked biradical groups. In certain embodiments, the bicyclic sugar moiety comprises 2 linked biradical groups. In certain embodiments, a linked biradical group is selected from —O—, —S—, —N(R1)-, —C(R1)(R2)-, —C(R1)=C(R1)-, —C(R1)=N—, —C(═NR1)-, —Si(R1)(R2)-, —S(═O)2-, —S(═O)—, —C(═O)— and —C(═S)—; where each R1 and R2 is, independently, H, hydroxyl, C1-C12 alkyl, substituted C1-C12 alkyl, C2-C12 alkenyl, substituted C2-C12 alkenyl, C2-C12 alkynyl, substituted C2-C12 alkynyl, C5-C20 aryl, substituted C5-C20 aryl, a heterocycle radical, a substituted hetero-cycle radical, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, C5-C7 alicyclic radical, substituted C5-C7 alicyclic radical, halogen, substituted oxy (—O—), amino, substituted amino, azido, carboxyl, substituted carboxyl, acyl, substituted acyl, CN, thiol, substituted thiol, sulfonyl (S(═O)2-H), substituted sulfonyl, sulfoxyl (S(═O)—H) or substituted sulfoxyl; and each substituent group is, independently, halogen, C1-C12 alkyl, substituted C1-C12 alkyl, C2-C12 alkenyl, substituted C2-C12 alkenyl, C2-C12 alkynyl, substituted C2-C12 alkynyl, amino, substituted amino, acyl, substituted acyl, C1-C12 aminoalkyl, C1-C12 aminoalkoxy, substituted C1-C12 aminoalkyl, substituted C1-C12 aminoalkoxy or a protecting group.

In some embodiments, the bicyclic sugar moiety is bridged between the 2′ and 4′ carbon atoms with a biradical group selected from —O—(CH₂)p-, —O—CH₂—, —O—CH₂CH₂—, —O—CH(alkyl)-, —NH—(CH₂)p-, —N(alkyl)-(CH₂)p-, —O—CH(alkyl)-, —(CH(alkyl))-(CH₂)_(p)—, —NH—O—(CH₂)p-, —N(alkyl)-O—(CH₂)p-, or —O—N(alkyl)-(CH₂)p-, wherein p is 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 and each alkyl group can be further substituted. In certain embodiments, p is 1, 2 or 3.

In one aspect, each of said bridges is, independently, —[C(R1)(R2)]n-, —[C(R1)(R2)]n-O—, —C(R1R2)-N(R1)-O— or —C(R1R2)-O—N(R1)-. In another aspect, each of said bridges is, independently, 4′-(CH₂)₃-2′,4′-(CH₂)₂-2′, 4′-CH₂—O-2′, 4′-(CH₂)₂—O-2′, 4′-CH₂—O—N(R1)-2′ and 4′-CH₂—N(R1)-O-2′- wherein each R1 is, independently, H, a protecting group or C1-C12 alkyl.

In nucleotides having modified sugar moieties, the nucleobase moieties (natural, modified or a combination thereof) are maintained for hybridization with an appropriate nucleic acid target.

In one embodiment, antisense compounds targeted to a nucleic acid comprise one or more nucleotides having modified sugar moieties. In a preferred embodiment, the modified sugar moiety is 2′-MOE. In other embodiments, the 2′-MOE modified nucleotides are arranged in a gapmer motif.

Currently preferred oligonucleotides comprise one of the following at the 2′ position: OH; F; O-, S-, or N-alkyl; O-, S-, or N-alkenyl; O-, S- or N-alkynyl; or O-alkyl-O-alkyl, wherein the alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl may be substituted or unsubstituted C₁ to C₁₀ alkyl or C₂ to C₁₀ alkenyl and alkynyl. Particularly preferred are O[(CH₂)_(n)O]_(m)CH₃, O(CH₂)_(n)OCH₃, O(CH₂)_(n)NH₂, O(CH₂)_(n)CH₃, O(CH₂)_(n)ONH₂, and O(CH₂)_(n)ON[(CH₂)_(n)CH₃)]₂, where n and m are from 1 to about 10. Other preferred oligonucleotides comprise one of the following at the 2′ position: C₁ to C₁₀ lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkaryl, aralkyl, O-alkaryl or O-aralkyl, SH, SCH₃, OCN, Cl, Br, CN, CF₃, OCF₃, SOCH₃, SO₂CH₃, ONO₂, NO₂, N₃, NH₂, heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkaryl, aminoalkylamino, polyalkylamino, substituted silyl, an RNA cleaving group, a reporter group, an intercalator, a group for improving the pharmacokinetic properties of an oligonucleotide, or a group for improving the pharmacodynamic properties of an oligonucleotide, and other substituents having similar properties. A preferred modification includes 2′-methoxyethoxy (2′-O—CH₂CH₂OCH₃, also known as 2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl) or 2′-MOE) (Martin et al., Helv. Chim. Acta, 1995, 78, 486-504) i.e., an alkoxyalkoxy group. A further preferred modification includes 2′-dimethylaminooxyethoxy, i.e., a O(CH₂)₂ON(CH₃)₂ group, also known as 2′-DMAOE, and 2′-dimethylaminoethoxyethoxy (also known in the art as 2′-O-dimethylaminoethoxyethyl or 2′-DMAEOE), i.e., 2′-O—CH₂—O—CH₂—N(CH₂)₂. A further preferred modification includes bicylic nucleic acid (also referred to as locked nucleic acids (LNAs)) in which the 2′-hydroxyl group is linked to the 3′ or 4′ carbon atom of the sugar ring thereby forming a bicyclic sugar moiety. The linkage is preferably a methelyne (—CH₂—)_(n) group bridging the 2′ oxygen atom and the 4′ carbon atom wherein n is 1 or 2 including α-L-Methyleneoxy (4′-CH2-O-2′) BNA, β-D-Methyleneoxy (4′-CH2-O-2′) BNA and Ethyleneoxy (4′-(CH2)₂—O-2′) BNA. Bicyclic modified sugars also include (6′S)-6′ methyl BNA, Aminooxy (4′-CH2-O—N(R)-2′) BNA, Oxyamino (4′-CH2-N(R)—O-2′) BNA wherein, R is, independently, H, a protecting group, or C1-C12 alkyl. LNAs also form duplexes with complementary DNA, RNA or LNA with high thermal affinities. Circular dichroism (CD) spectra show that duplexes involving fully modified LNA (esp. LNA:RNA) structurally resemble an A-form RNA:RNA duplex. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) examination of an LNA:DNA duplex confirmed the 3′-endo conformation of an LNA monomer. Recognition of double-stranded DNA has also been demonstrated suggesting strand invasion by LNA. Studies of mismatched sequences show that LNAs obey the Watson-Crick base pairing rules with generally improved selectivity compared to the corresponding unmodified reference strands.

LNAs in which the 2′-hydroxyl group is linked to the 4′ carbon atom of the sugar ring thereby forming a 2′-C,4′-C-oxymethylene linkage thereby forming a bicyclic sugar moiety. The linkage may be a methelyne (—CH₂—)_(n) group bridging the 2′ oxygen atom and the 4′ carbon atom wherein n is 1 or 2 (Singh et al., Chem. Commun., 1998, 4, 455-456). LNA and LNA analogs display very high duplex thermal stabilities with complementary DNA and RNA (Tm=+3 to +10° C.), stability towards 3′-exonucleolytic degradation and good solubility properties. Other preferred bridge groups include the 2′-deoxy-2′-CH₂OCH₂-4′ bridge. LNAs and preparation thereof are described in published International Patent Application Nos. WO 98/39352 and WO 99/14226.

Other preferred modifications include 2′-methoxy (2′-O—CH₃), 2′-aminopropoxy (2′-OCH₂CH₂CH₂NH₂), 2′-allyl (2′-CH₂—CH═CH₂), 2′-O-allyl (2′-O—CH₂—CH═CH₂) and 2′-fluoro (2′-F). The 2′-modification may be in the arabino (up) position or ribo (down) position. A preferred 2′-arabino modification is 2′-F. Similar modifications may also be made at other positions on the oligonucleotide, particularly the 3′ position of the sugar on the 3′ terminal nucleotide or in 2′-5′ linked oligonucleotides and the 5′ position of 5′ terminal nucleotide. Oligonucleotides may also have sugar mimetics or surrogates (sometimes referred to as DNA analogs) such as cyclobutyl moieties in place of the pentofuranosyl sugar. Representative United States patents that teach the preparation of such modified sugar structures include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,981,957; 5,118,800; 5,319,080; 5,359,044; 5,393,878; 5,446,137; 5,466,786; 5,514,785; 5,519,134; 5,567,811; 5,576,427; 5,591,722; 5,597,909; 5,610,300; 5,627,053; 5,639,873; 5,646,265; 5,658,873; 5,670,633; 5,792,747; and 5,700,920, certain of which are commonly owned with the instant application, and each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. In certain embodiments, nucleosides are modified by replacement of the ribosyl ring with a surrogate ring system such as a morpholino ring, a cyclohexenyl ring, a cyclohexyl ring or a tetrahydropyranyl ring such as one having one of the formula:

Many other bicyclo and tricyclo sugar surrogate ring systems are also know in the art that can be used to modify nucleosides for incorporation into antisense compounds (see for example review article: Leumann, Christian J.,). Such ring systems can undergo various additional substitutions to enhance activity.

In one embodiment of the invention, the compound comprising at least one tetrahydropyran modified nucleoside wherein a tetrahydropyran ring replaces the furanose ring.

In another embodiment of the invention, wherein each of the at least one tetrahydropyran modified nucleoside has the structure:

wherein Bx is an optionally protected heterocyclic base moiety.

Modified Nucleobases

Oligonucleotides may also include nucleobase (often referred to in the art simply as “base”) modifications or substitutions. Nucleobase modifications or substitutions are structurally distinguishable from, yet functionally interchangeable with, naturally occurring or synthetic unmodified nucleobases. Both natural and modified nucleobases are capable of participating in hydrogen bonding. Such nucleobase modifications may impart nuclease stability, binding affinity or some other beneficial biological property to antisense compounds. Modified nucleobases include synthetic and natural nucleobases such as, for example, 5-methylcytosine (5-me-C). Certain nucleobase substitutions, including 5-methylcytosine substitutions, are particularly useful for increasing the binding affinity of an antisense compound for a target nucleic acid. For example, 5-methylcytosine substitutions have been shown to increase nucleic acid duplex stability by 0.6-1.2° C. (Sanghvi, Y. S., Crooke, S. T. and Lebleu, B., eds., Antisense Research and Applications, CRC Press, Boca Raton, 1993, pp. 276-278).

Additional unmodified nucleobases include 5-hydroxymethyl cytosine, xanthine, hypoxanthine, 2-aminoadenine, 6-methyl and other alkyl derivatives of adenine and guanine, 2-propyl and other alkyl derivatives of adenine and guanine, 2-thiouracil, 2-thiothymine and 2-thiocytosine, 5-halouracil and cytosine, 5-propynyl (—C≡C—CH₃) uracil and cytosine and other alkynyl derivatives of pyrimidine bases, 6-azo uracil, cytosine and thymine, 5-uracil (pseudouracil), 4-thiouracil, 8-halo, 8-amino, 8-thiol, 8-thioalkyl, 8-hydroxyl and other 8-substituted adenines and guanines, 5-halo particularly 5-bromo, 5-trifluoromethyl and other 5-substituted uracils and cytosines, 7-methylguanine and 7-methyladenine, 2-F-adenine, 2-amino-adenine, 8-azaguanine and 8-azaadenine, 7-deazaguanine and 7-deazaadenine and 3-deazaguanine and 3-deazaadenine.

Heterocyclic base moieties may also include those in which the purine or pyrimidine base is replaced with other heterocycles, for example 7-deaza-adenine, 7-deazaguanosine, 2-aminopyridine and 2-pyridone. Nucleobases that are particularly useful for increasing the binding affinity of antisense compounds include 5-substituted pyrimidines, 6-azapyrimidines and N-2, N-6 and O-6 substituted purines, including 2 aminopropyladenine, 5-propynyluracil and 5-propynylcytosine.

In one embodiment, antisense compounds targeted to a CTGF nucleic acid comprise one or more modified nucleobases. In an additional embodiment, gap-widened antisense oligonucleotides targeted to a CTGF nucleic acid comprise one or more modified nucleobases. In some embodiments, the modified nucleobase is 5-methylcytosine. In further embodiments, each cytosine is a 5-methylcytosine.

As used herein, “unmodified” or “natural” nucleobases include the purine bases adenine (A) and guanine (G), and the pyrimidine bases thymine (T), cytosine (C) and uracil (U).

Modified nucleobases include other synthetic and natural nucleobases such as 5-methylcytosine (5-me-C), 5-hydroxymethyl cytosine, xanthine, hypoxanthine, 2-aminoadenine, 6-methyl and other alkyl derivatives of adenine and guanine, 2-propyl and other alkyl derivatives of adenine and guanine, 2-thiouracil, 2-thiothymine and 2-thiocytosine, 5-halouracil and cytosine, 5-propynyl (—C≡C—CH₃) uracil and cytosine and other alkynyl derivatives of pyrimidine bases, 6-azo uracil, cytosine and thymine, 5-uracil (pseudouracil), 4-thiouracil, 8-halo, 8-amino, 8-thiol, 8-thioalkyl, 8-hydroxyl and other 8-substituted adenines and guanines, 5-halo particularly 5-bromo, 5-trifluoromethyl and other 5-substituted uracils and cytosines, 7-methylguanine and 7-methyladenine, 2-F-adenine, 2-amino-adenine, 8-azaguanine and 8-azaadenine, 7-deazaguanine and 7-deazaadenine and 3-deazaguanine and 3-deazaadenine. Further modified nucleobases include tricyclic pyrimidines such as phenoxazine cytidine(1H-pyrimido[5,4-b][1,4]benzoxazin-2(3H)-one), phenothiazine cytidine (1H-pyrimido[5,4-b][1,4]benzothiazin-2(3H)-one), G-clamps such as a substituted phenoxazine cytidine (e.g. 9-(2-aminoethoxy)-H-pyrimido[5,4-b][1,4]benzoxazin-2(3H)-one), carbazole cytidine (2H-pyrimido[4,5-b]indol-2-one), pyridoindole cytidine (H-pyrido[3′,2′:4,5]pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-2-one). Modified nucleobases may also include those in which the purine or pyrimidine base is replaced with other heterocycles, for example 7-deaza-adenine, 7-deazaguanosine, 2-aminopyridine and 2-pyridone. Further nucleobases include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,687,808, those disclosed in The Concise Encyclopedia Of Polymer Science And Engineering, pages 858-859, Kroschwitz, J. I., ed. John Wiley & Sons, 1990, those disclosed by Englisch et al., Angewandte Chemie, International Edition, 1991, 30, 613, and those disclosed by Sanghvi, Y. S., Chapter 15, Antisense Research and Applications, pages 289-302, Crooke, S. T. and Lebleu, B. ed., CRC Press, 1993.

Certain of these nucleobases are particularly useful for increasing the binding affinity of the oligomeric compounds of the invention. These include 5-substituted pyrimidines, 6-azapyrimidines and N-2, N-6 and O-6 substituted purines, including 2-aminopropyladenine, 5-propynyluracil and 5-propynylcytosine. 5-methylcytosine substitutions have been shown to increase nucleic acid duplex stability by 0.6-1.2° C. (Sanghvi, Y. S., Crooke, S. T. and Lebleu, B., eds., Antisense Research and Applications, CRC Press, Boca Raton, 1993, pp. 276-278) and are presently preferred base substitutions, even more particularly when combined with 2′-O-methoxyethyl sugar modifications.

Representative United States patents that teach the preparation of certain of the above noted modified nucleobases as well as other modified nucleobases include, but are not limited to, the above noted U.S. Pat. No. 3,687,808, as well as U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,845,205; 5,130,302; 5,134,066; 5,175,273; 5,367,066; 5,432,272; 5,457,187; 5,459,255; 5,484,908; 5,502,177; 5,525,711; 5,552,540; 5,587,469; 5,594,121, 5,596,091; 5,614,617; 5,645,985; 5,830,653; 5,763,588; 6,005,096; and 5,681,941, certain of which are commonly owned with the instant application, and each of which is herein incorporated by reference, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,750,692, which has an owner in common with the owners of the instant application and also herein incorporated by reference.

Antisense Compound Motifs

In certain embodiment of the invention, the compound comprises a modified oligonucleotide comprised of (a) a gap segment consisting of linked deoxynucleosides, preferably consists of a thirteen linked modified deoxynucleosides; (b) a 5′ wing segment consisting of linked modified nucleosides, preferably consists of two linked modified nucleosides; and (c) a 3′ wing segment consisting of linked modified nucleosides, preferably consists of five linked nucleosides; wherein the gap segment is positioned between the 5′ wing segment and the 3′ wing segment, and wherein each modified nucleoside within each wing segment comprises a modified sugar, preferably comprises a 2′-O-methoxyethyl sugar; and wherein each internucleoside linkage is a phosphothioate linkage. These patterns of modified nucleotides in an antisense compound are called motif. These motifs, confer to the antisense compounds properties such to enhance the inhibitory activity, increase binding affinity for a target nucleic acid, or increase resistance to degradation by in vivo nucleases.

In certain embodiments, antisense compounds targeted to a CTGF nucleic acid have chemically modified subunits arranged in patterns, or motifs, to confer to the antisense compounds properties such as enhanced the inhibitory activity, increased binding affinity for a target nucleic acid, or resistance to degradation by in vivo nucleases.

Chimeric antisense compounds typically contain at least one region modified so as to confer increased resistance to nuclease degradation, increased cellular uptake, increased binding affinity for the target nucleic acid, and/or increased inhibitory activity. A second region of a chimeric antisense compound may optionally serve as a substrate for the cellular endonuclease RNase H, which cleaves the RNA strand of an RNA:DNA duplex.

Antisense compounds having a gapmer motif are considered chimeric antisense compounds. In a gapmer an internal region having a plurality of nucleotides that supports RNaseH cleavage is positioned between external regions having a plurality of nucleotides that are chemically distinct from the nucleosides of the internal region. In the case of an antisense oligonucleotide having a gapmer motif, the gap segment generally serves as the substrate for endonuclease cleavage, while the wing segments comprise modified nucleosides. In a preferred embodiment, the regions of a gapmer are differentiated by the types of sugar moieties comprising each distinct region. The types of sugar moieties that are used to differentiate the regions of a gapmer may in some embodiments include β-D-ribonucleosides, β-D-deoxy-ribonucleosides, 2′-modified nucleosides (such 2′-modified nucleosides may include 2′-MOE, and 2′-O—CH₃, among others), and bicyclic sugar modified nucleosides (such bicyclic sugar modified nucleosides may include those having a 4′-(CH2)n-O-2′ bridge, where n=1 or n=2). Preferably, each distinct region comprises uniform sugar moieties. The wing-gap-wing motif is frequently described as “X-Y-Z”, where “X” represents the length of the 5′ wing region, “Y” represents the length of the gap region, and “Z” represents the length of the 3′ wing region. Any of the antisense compounds described herein can have a gapmer motif. In some embodiments, X and Z are the same, in other embodiments they are different. In a preferred embodiment, Y is between 8 and 15 nucleotides. X, Y or Z can be any of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30 or more nucleotides. Thus, gapmers of the present invention include, but are not limited to, for example 2-13-5, 5-10-5, 4-8-4, 4-12-3, 4-12-4, 3-14-3, 2-16-2, 1-18-1, 3-10-3, 2-10-2, 1-10-1 or 2-8-2.

In some embodiments, the antisense compound as a “wingmer” motif, having a wing-gap or gap-wing configuration, i.e. an X-Y or Y-Z configuration as described above for the gapmer configuration. Thus, wingmer configurations of the present invention include, but are not limited to, for example 5-10, 8-4, 4-12, 12-4, 3-14, 16-2, 18-1, 10-3, 2-10, 1-10 or 8-2.

In one embodiment, antisense compounds targeted to a nucleic acid possess a 5-10-5 gapmer motif.

In some embodiments, an antisense compound targeted to a nucleic acid has a gap-widened motif. In other embodiments, an antisense oligonucleotide targeted to a nucleic acid has a gap-widened motif.

In one embodiment, a gap-widened antisense oligonucleotide targeted to a nucleic acid has a gap segment of fourteen 2′-deoxyribonucleotides positioned between wing segments of three chemically modified nucleosides. In one embodiment, the chemical modification comprises a 2′-sugar modification. In another embodiment, the chemical modification comprises a 2′-MOE sugar modification.

Antisense compounds having a gapmer motif are considered “chimeric” antisense compounds or “chimeras,” which contain two or more chemically distinct regions, each made up of at least one monomer unit, i.e., a nucleotide in the case of an oligonucleotide compound. These oligonucleotides typically contain at least one region modified so as to confer increased resistance to nuclease degradation, increased cellular uptake, increased binding affinity for the target nucleic acid, and/or increased inhibitory activity. It is not necessary for all positions in a given compound to be uniformly modified, and in fact more than one of the aforementioned modifications may be incorporated in a single compound or even at a single nucleoside within an oligonucleotide.

An additional region of the oligonucleotide may serve as a substrate for enzymes capable of cleaving RNA:DNA or RNA:RNA hybrids. By way of example, RNase H is a cellular endonuclease which cleaves the RNA strand of an RNA:DNA duplex. Activation of RNase H, therefore, results in cleavage of the RNA target, thereby greatly enhancing the efficiency of oligonucleotide inhibition of gene expression. Consequently, comparable results can often be obtained with shorter oligonucleotides when chimeric oligonucleotides are used, compared to phosphorothioate deoxyoligonucleotides hybridizing to the same target region. Cleavage of the RNA target can be routinely detected by gel electrophoresis and, if necessary, associated nucleic acid hybridization techniques known in the art.

Chimeric antisense compounds of the invention may be formed as composite structures of two or more oligonucleotides, modified oligonucleotides, oligonucleosides and/or oligonucleotide mimetics as described above. Such compounds have also been referred to in the art as hybrids or gapmers. Representative United States patents that teach the preparation of such hybrid structures include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,013,830; 5,149,797; 5,220,007; 5,256,775; 5,366,878; 5,403,711; 5,491,133; 5,565,350; 5,623,065; 5,652,355; 5,652,356; and 5,700,922, certain of which are commonly owned with the instant application, and each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

In the case of an antisense oligonucleotide having a gapmer motif, the gap segment generally serves as the substrate for endonuclease cleavage, while the wing segments comprise modified nucleosides. In a preferred embodiment, the regions of a gapmer are differentiated by the types of sugar moieties comprising each distinct region. The types of sugar moieties that are used to differentiate the regions of a gapmer may include β-D-ribonucleosides, β-D-deoxyribonucleosides, 2′-modified nucleosides (such 2′-modified nucleosides may include 2′-MOE), and bicyclic sugar modified nucleosides.

Another modification of the oligonucleotides of the invention involves chemically linking to the oligonucleotide one or more moieties or conjugates which enhance the activity, cellular distribution or cellular uptake of the oligonucleotide. The compounds of the invention can include conjugate groups covalently bound to functional groups such as primary or secondary hydroxyl groups. Conjugate groups of the invention include intercalators, reporter molecules, polyamines, polyamides, polyethylene glycols, polyethers, groups that enhance the pharmacodynamic properties of oligomers, and groups that enhance the pharmacokinetic properties of oligomers. Typical conjugates groups include cholesterols, lipids, phospholipids, biotin, phenazine, folate, phenanthridine, anthraquinone, acridine, fluoresceins, rhodamines, coumarins, and dyes. Groups that enhance the pharmacodynamic properties, in the context of this invention, include groups that improve oligomer uptake, enhance oligomer resistance to degradation, and/or strengthen sequence-specific hybridization with RNA. Groups that enhance the pharmacokinetic properties, in the context of this invention, include groups that improve oligomer uptake, distribution, metabolism or excretion. Representative conjugate groups are disclosed in International Patent Application PCT/US92/09196, filed Oct. 23, 1992 the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Conjugate moieties include but are not limited to lipid moieties such as a cholesterol moiety (Letsinger et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 1989, 86, 6553-6556), cholic acid (Manoharan et al., Bioorg. Med. Chem. Let., 1994, 4, 1053-1060), a thioether, e.g., hexyl-S-tritylthiol (Manoharan et al., Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 1992, 660, 306-309; Manoharan et al., Bioorg. Med. Chem. Let., 1993, 3, 2765-2770), a thiocholesterol (Oberhauser et al., Nucl. Acids Res., 1992, 20, 533-538), an aliphatic chain, e.g., dodecandiol or undecyl residues (Saison-Behmoaras et al., EMBO J., 1991, 10, 1111-1118; Kabanov et al., FEBS Lett., 1990, 259, 327-330; Svinarchuk et al., Biochimie, 1993, 75, 49-54), a phospholipid, e.g., di-hexadecyl-rac-glycerol or triethyl-ammonium 1,2-di-O-hexadecyl-rac-glycero-3-H-phosphonate (Manoharan et al., Tetrahedron Lett., 1995, 36, 3651-3654; Shea et al., Nucl. Acids Res., 1990, 18, 3777-3783), a polyamine or a polyethylene glycol chain (Manoharan et al., Nucleosides & Nucleotides, 1995, 14, 969-973), or adamantane acetic acid (Manoharan et al., Tetrahedron Lett., 1995, 36, 3651-3654), a palmityl moiety (Mishra et al., Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 1995, 1264, 229-237), or an octadecylamine or hexylamino-carbonyl-oxycholesterol moiety (Crooke et al., J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., 1996, 277, 923-937. Oligonucleotides of the invention may also be conjugated to active drug substances, for example, aspirin, warfarin, phenylbutazone, ibuprofen, suprofen, fenbufen, ketoprofen, (S)-(+)-pranoprofen, carprofen, dansylsarcosine, 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid, flufenamic acid, folinic acid, a benzothiadiazide, chlorothiazide, a diazepine, indomethicin, a barbiturate, a cephalosporin, a sulfa drug, an antidiabetic, an antibacterial or an antibiotic. Oligonucleotide-drug conjugates and their preparation are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/334,130 (filed Jun. 15, 1999) which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Representative United States patents that teach the preparation of such oligonucleotide conjugates include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,828,979; 4,948,882; 5,218,105; 5,525,465; 5,541,313; 5,545,730; 5,552,538; 5,578,717, 5,580,731; 5,580,731; 5,591,584; 5,109,124; 5,118,802; 5,138,045; 5,414,077; 5,486,603; 5,512,439; 5,578,718; 5,608,046; 4,587,044; 4,605,735; 4,667,025; 4,762,779; 4,789,737; 4,824,941; 4,835,263; 4,876,335; 4,904,582; 4,958,013; 5,082,830; 5,112,963; 5,214,136; 5,082,830; 5,112,963; 5,214,136; 5,245,022; 5,254,469; 5,258,506; 5,262,536; 5,272,250; 5,292,873; 5,317,098; 5,371,241, 5,391,723; 5,416,203, 5,451,463; 5,510,475; 5,512,667; 5,514,785; 5,565,552; 5,567,810; 5,574,142; 5,585,481; 5,587,371; 5,595,726; 5,597,696; 5,599,923; 5,599,928 and 5,688,941, certain of which are commonly owned with the instant application, and each of which is herein incorporated by reference.

In another embodiment of the invention, the compound comprises the modified oligonucleotide consists of 20 linked nucleosides.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the compound comprises the nucleobase sequence is the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 39, 40, 45, 52 and 166.

In one embodiment of the invention the composition comprises a modified oligonucleotide comprising linked nucleosides, the nucleobase sequence of which is a sequence set forth in one of SEQ ID NOs: 28, 30, 39, 40, 43, 44, 45, 50, 51, 52, 56, 78, 125 and 166 or a salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts are well known to those skilled in the art.

In one embodiment of the invention, the antisense compound is complementary within a range of nucleotides on the CTGF sequence. In certain embodiments the antisense compound is complimentary within the range of nucleotides 718-751, 1388-1423, 1457-1689, 2040-2069, 2120-2147, or 2267-2301 of SEQ ID NO: 9. In a certain embodiment the antisense compound is complimentary within the range of nucleotides 2728-2797 of SEQ ID NO: 10. Compounds targeted to these ranges demonstrate at least 50% inhibition (i.e. SEQ ID NOs: 15, 29, 31, 42, 46-49, 53, 72, 81, 82, 152-154, 164, and 165). Certain target sites listed in Table 1 also demonstrate at least 50% inhibition (i.e. SEQ ID NOs: 12, 20, 33, 34, 76, 107, 129, 132, 134, 136, and 146). In certain embodiments the antisense compound is complementary within the range of nucleotides 553-611, 1394-1423, 1469-1508, 1559-1605, 1659-1689 or 2100-2129 of SEQ ID NO: 9 and 2623-2647 of SEQ ID NO: 10. Compounds targeted therein demonstrate at least 60% inhibition (i.e. SEQ ID NOs: 27, 28, 38, 39, 40, 43, 44, 45, 50, 51, 52, 54, 55, 56, 77, 78, 79, 138 and 139). Certain additional target sites listed in Table 1 also demonstrate at least 60% inhibition (i.e. SEQ ID NOs: 24, 30, 61, 63, 67, 69, 73, 86, 125, 128, and 161). In certain embodiments the antisense compound is complementary within the range of nucleotides 1399-1423. Compounds targeted therein demonstrate at least 70% inhibition (i.e. SEQ ID NOs: 39 and 40). Certain target sites listed in Table 1 also demonstrate at least 70% inhibition (i.e. SEQ ID NOs: 28, 30, 44, 45, 51, 56, 78, 128, and 138). One target site listed in Table 1 also demonstrates at least 80% inhibition (i.e. SEQ ID NO: 44). In certain embodiments, the percent inhibition is achieved when the antisense compound is delivered to HuVec cells at a concentration of 50 nm. Refer to Example 8, provided herein below, for more details.

In an embodiment of the composition, the modified oligonucleotide is a single-stranded or double stranded oligonucleotide. In another embodiment of the invention, comprising a modified oligonucleotide, wherein the modified oligonucleotide consists of 20 linked nucleosides

In another embodiment of the invention, provides a method for inhibiting expression of connective tissue growth factor in a cell or a tissue which comprises contacting the cell or tissue with the compound of interest under conditions such that expression of connective tissue growth factor is inhibited.

Compositions and Methods for Formulating Pharmaceutical Compositions

Antisense oligonucleotides may be admixed with pharmaceutically acceptable active and/or inert substances for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions or formulations. Compositions and methods for the formulation of pharmaceutical compositions are dependent upon a number of criteria, including, but not limited to, route of administration, extent of disease, or dose to be administered.

Antisense compound targeted to a nucleic acid can be utilized in pharmaceutical compositions by combining the antisense compound with a suitable pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier. A pharmaceutically acceptable diluent includes phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). PBS is a diluent suitable for use in compositions to be delivered parenterally. Accordingly, in one embodiment, employed in the methods described herein is a pharmaceutical composition comprising an antisense compound targeted to a nucleic acid and a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutically acceptable diluent is PBS. In another embodiment, the pharmaceutically acceptable diluent is pharmaceutical grade saline or pharmaceutical grade PBS. In other embodiments, the antisense compound is an antisense oligonucleotide.

Pharmaceutical compositions comprising antisense compounds encompass any pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, or salts of such esters, or any other oligonucleotide which, upon administration to an animal, including a human, is capable of providing (directly or indirectly) the biologically active metabolite or residue thereof. Accordingly, for example, the disclosure is also drawn to pharmaceutically acceptable salts of antisense compounds, prodrugs, pharmaceutically acceptable salts of such prodrugs, and other bioequivalents. Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable salts include, but are not limited to, sodium and potassium salts.

A prodrug can include the incorporation of additional nucleosides at one or both ends of an antisense compound which are cleaved by endogenous nucleases within the body, to form the active antisense compound. In particular, prodrug versions of the oligonucleotides of the invention are prepared as SATE [(S-acetyl-2-thioethyl)phosphate] derivatives according to the methods disclosed in WO 93/24510 to Gosselin et al., published Dec. 9, 1993 or in WO 94/26764 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,770,713 to Imbach et al.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable salts” refers to physiologically and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of the invention: i.e., salts that retain the desired biological activity of the parent compound and do not impart undesired toxicological effects thereto.

Pharmaceutically acceptable base addition salts are formed with metals or amines, such as alkali and alkaline earth metals or organic amines. Examples of metals used as cations are sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and the like. Examples of suitable amines are N,N′-dibenzylethylenediamine, chloroprocaine, choline, diethanolamine, dicyclohexylamine, ethylenediamine, N-methylglucamine, and procaine (see, for example, Berge et al., “Pharmaceutical Salts,” J. of Pharma Sci., 1977, 66, 1-19). The base addition salts of said acidic compounds are prepared by contacting the free acid form with a sufficient amount of the desired base to produce the salt in the conventional manner. The free acid form may be regenerated by contacting the salt form with an acid and isolating the free acid in the conventional manner. The free acid forms differ from their respective salt forms somewhat in certain physical properties such as solubility in polar solvents, but otherwise the salts are equivalent to their respective free acid for purposes of the present invention. As used herein, a “pharmaceutical addition salt” includes a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of an acid form of one of the components of the compositions of the invention. These include organic or inorganic acid salts of the amines. Preferred acid salts are the hydrochlorides, acetates, salicylates, nitrates and phosphates. Other suitable pharmaceutically acceptable salts are well known to those skilled in the art and include basic salts of a variety of inorganic and organic acids, such as, for example, with inorganic acids, such as for example hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid or phosphoric acid; with organic carboxylic, sulfonic, sulfo or phospho acids or N-substituted sulfamic acids, for example acetic acid, propionic acid, glycolic acid, succinic acid, maleic acid, hydroxymaleic acid, methylmaleic acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, oxalic acid, gluconic acid, glucaric acid, glucuronic acid, citric acid, benzoic acid, cinnamic acid, mandelic acid, salicylic acid, 4-aminosalicylic acid, 2-phenoxybenzoic acid, 2-acetoxybenzoic acid, embonic acid, nicotinic acid or isonicotinic acid; and with amino acids, such as the 20 alpha-amino acids involved in the synthesis of proteins in nature, for example glutamic acid or aspartic acid, and also with phenylacetic acid, methanesulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonic acid, ethane-1,2-disulfonic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, 4-methylbenzenesulfonic acid, naphthalene-2-sulfonic acid, naphthalene-1,5-disulfonic acid, 2- or 3-phosphoglycerate, glucose-6-phosphate, N-cyclohexylsulfamic acid (with the formation of cyclamates), or with other acid organic compounds, such as ascorbic acid. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts of compounds may also be prepared with a pharmaceutically acceptable cation. Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable cations are well known to those skilled in the art and include alkaline, alkaline earth, ammonium and quaternary ammonium cations. Carbonates or hydrogen carbonates are also possible.

For oligonucleotides, preferred examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts include but are not limited to (a) salts formed with cations such as sodium, potassium, ammonium, magnesium, calcium, polyamines such as spermine and spermidine, etc.; (b) acid addition salts formed with inorganic acids, for example hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid and the like; (c) salts formed with organic acids such as, for example, acetic acid, oxalic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid, citric acid, malic acid, ascorbic acid, benzoic acid, tannic acid, palmitic acid, alginic acid, polyglutamic acid, naphthalenesulfonic acid, methanesulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, naphthalenedisulfonic acid, polygalacturonic acid, and the like; and (d) salts formed from elemental anions such as chlorine, bromine, and iodine.

In certain embodiment of the invention, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent is an ingredient in a composition that lacks pharmacological activity, but is pharmaceutically necessary or desirable as a solvent, suspending agent or any other pharmaceutically inert vehicle for delivering one or more nucleic acids to a human or non-human animal. Pharmaceutical carriers are well known to those skilled in the art.

Carriers

Certain compositions of the present invention also incorporate carrier compounds in the formulation. As used herein, “carrier compound” or “carrier” can refer to a nucleic acid, or analog thereof, which is inert (i.e., does not possess biological activity per se) but is recognized as a nucleic acid by in vivo processes that reduce the bioavailability of a nucleic acid having biological activity by, for example, degrading the biologically active nucleic acid or promoting its removal from circulation. The coadministration of a nucleic acid and a carrier compound, typically with an excess of the latter substance, can result in a substantial reduction of the amount of nucleic acid recovered in the liver, kidney or other extracirculatory reservoirs, presumably due to competition between the carrier compound and the nucleic acid for a common receptor. For example, the recovery of a partially phosphorothioate oligonucleotide in hepatic tissue can be reduced when it is coadministered with polyinosinic acid, dextran sulfate, polycytidic acid or 4-acetamido-4′ isothiocyano-stilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid (Miyao et al., Antisense Res. Dev., 1995, 5, 115-121; Takakura at al., Antisense & Nucl. Acid Drug Dev., 1996, 6, 177-183).

Excipients

In contrast to a carrier compound, a “pharmaceutical carrier” or “excipient” is a pharmaceutically acceptable solvent, suspending agent or any other pharmacologically inert vehicle for delivering one or more nucleic acids to an animal. The excipient may be liquid or solid and is selected, with the planned manner of administration in mind, so as to provide for the desired bulk, consistency, etc., when combined with a nucleic acid and the other components of a given pharmaceutical composition. Typical pharmaceutical carriers include, but are not limited to, binding agents (e.g., pregelatinized maize starch, polyvinylpyrrolidone or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, etc.); fillers (e.g., lactose and other sugars, microcrystalline cellulose, pectin, gelatin, calcium sulfate, ethyl cellulose, polyacrylates or calcium hydrogen phosphate, etc.); lubricants (e.g., magnesium stearate, talc, silica, colloidal silicon dioxide, stearic acid, metallic stearates, hydrogenated vegetable oils, corn starch, polyethylene glycols, sodium benzoate, sodium acetate, etc.); disintegrants (e.g., starch, sodium starch glycolate, etc.); and wetting agents (e.g., sodium lauryl sulphate, etc.).

Pharmaceutically acceptable organic or inorganic excipient suitable for non-parenteral administration which do not deleteriously react with nucleic acids can also be used to formulate the compositions of the present invention. Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include, but are not limited to, water, salt solutions, alcohols, polyethylene glycols, gelatin, lactose, amylose, magnesium stearate, talc, silicic acid, viscous paraffin, hydroxymethylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone and the like.

Formulations for topical administration of nucleic acids may include sterile and non-sterile aqueous solutions, non-aqueous solutions in common solvents such as alcohols, or solutions of the nucleic acids in liquid or solid oil bases. The solutions may also contain buffers, diluents and other suitable additives. Pharmaceutically acceptable organic or inorganic excipients suitable for non-parenteral administration which do not deleteriously react with nucleic acids can be used.

In one embodiment of the invention, the composition comprises a modified oligonucleotide comprises a single-stranded or a double-stranded oligonucleotide, and wherein the modified oligonucleotide consists of 20 linked nucleosides.

In another embodiment of the invention involves a method for inhibiting expression of connective tissue growth factor in a cell or a tissue which comprises contacting the cell or tissue with any one of the above-mentioned compounds under conditions such that expression of connective tissue growth factor is inhibited.

In certain embodiment of the invention involves a method of treating an animal having a disease or condition associated with expression of connective tissue growth factor which comprises administering to the animal an amount of the compound described hereinabove effective to inhibit expression of connective tissue growth factor so as to thereby treat the animal.

In the practice of the method of this invention, an animal includes a human as well as a non-human animal, preferably human.

The present invention also includes pharmaceutical compositions and formulations which include the antisense compounds of the invention. The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be administered in a number of ways depending upon whether local or systemic treatment is desired and upon the area to be treated. Administration may be topical (including ophthalmic and to mucous membranes including vaginal and rectal delivery), pulmonary, e.g., by inhalation or insufflation of powders or aerosols, including by nebulizer; intratracheal, intranasal, epidermal and transdermal), oral or parenteral. Parenteral administration includes intravenous, intraarterial, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal or intramuscular injection or infusion; or intracranial, e.g., intrathecal or intraventricular, administration. Oligonucleotides with at least one 2′-O-methoxyethyl modification are believed to be particularly useful for oral administration.

Pharmaceutical compositions and formulations for topical administration may include transdermal patches, ointments, lotions, creams, gels, drops, suppositories, sprays, liquids and powders. Conventional pharmaceutical carriers, aqueous, powder or oily bases, thickeners and the like may be necessary or desirable. Coated condoms, gloves and the like may also be useful. Preferred topical formulations include those in which the oligonucleotides of the invention are in admixture with a topical delivery agent such as lipids, liposomes, fatty acids, fatty acid esters, steroids, chelating agents and surfactants. Preferred lipids and liposomes include neutral (e.g. dioleoylphosphatidyl DOPE ethanolamine, dimyristoylphosphatidyl choline DMPC, distearolyphosphatidyl choline) negative (e.g. dimyristoylphosphatidyl glycerol DMPG) and cationic (e.g. dioleoyltetramethylaminopropyl DOTAP and dioleoylphosphatidyl ethanolamine DOTMA). Oligonucleotides of the invention may be encapsulated within liposomes or may form complexes thereto, in particular to cationic liposomes. Alternatively, oligonucleotides may be complexed to lipids, in particular to cationic lipids. Preferred fatty acids and esters include but are not limited arachidonic acid, oleic acid, eicosanoic acid, lauric acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, dicaprate, tricaprate, monoolein, dilaurin, glyceryl 1-monocaprate, 1-dodecylazacycloheptan-2-one, an acylcarnitine, an acylcholine, or a C₁₋₄₀ alkyl ester (e.g. isopropylmyristate IPM), monoglyceride, diglyceride or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Topical formulations are described in detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/315,298 filed on May 20, 1999 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Compositions and formulations for oral administration include powders or granules, microparticulates, nanoparticulates, suspensions or solutions in water or non-aqueous media, capsules, gel capsules, sachets, tablets or minitablets. Thickeners, flavoring agents, diluents, emulsifiers, dispersing aids or binders may be desirable. Preferred oral formulations are those in which oligonucleotides of the invention are administered in conjunction with one or more penetration enhancers surfactants and chelators. Preferred surfactants include fatty acids and/or esters or salts thereof, bile acids and/or salts thereof. Preferred bile acids/salts include chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) and ursodeoxychenodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), cholic acid, dehydrocholic acid, deoxycholic acid, glucholic acid, glycholic acid, glycodeoxycholic acid, taurocholic acid, taurodeoxycholic acid, sodium tauro-24,25-dihydro-fusidate, sodium glycodihydrofusidate. Preferred fatty acids include arachidonic acid, undecanoic acid, oleic acid, lauric acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, dicaprate, tricaprate, monoolein, dilaurin, glyceryl 1-monocaprate, 1-dodecylazacycloheptan-2-one, an acylcarnitine, an acylcholine, or a monoglyceride, a diglyceride or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof (e.g. sodium). Also preferred are combinations of penetration enhancers, for example, fatty acids/salts in combination with bile acids/salts. A particularly preferred combination is the sodium salt of lauric acid, capric acid and UDCA. Further penetration enhancers include polyoxyethylene-9-lauryl ether, polyoxyethylene-20-cetyl ether. Oligonucleotides of the invention may be delivered orally in granular form including sprayed dried particles, or complexed to form micro or nanoparticles. Oligonucleotide complexing agents include poly-amino acids; polyimines; polyacrylates; polyalkylacrylates, polyoxethanes, polyalkylcyanoacrylates; cationized gelatins, albumins, starches, acrylates, polyethyleneglycols (PEG) and starches; polyalkylcyanoacrylates; DEAE-derivatized polyimines, pollulans, celluloses and starches. Particularly preferred complexing agents include chitosan, N-trimethylchitosan, poly-L-lysine, polyhistidine, polyornithine, polyspermines, protamine, polyvinylpyridine, polythiodiethylaminomethyl-ethylene P(TDAE), polyaminostyrene (e.g. p-amino), poly(methylcyanoacrylate), poly(ethylcyanoacrylate), poly(butylcyanoacrylate), poly(isobutylcyanoacrylate), poly(iso-hexylcynaoacrylate), DEAE-methacrylate, DEAE-hexylacrylate, DEAE-acrylamide, DEAE-albumin and DEAE-dextran, polymethyl-acrylate, polyhexylacrylate, poly(D,L-lactic acid), poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA), alginate, and polyethylene-glycol (PEG). Oral formulations for oligonucleotides and their preparation are described in detail in U.S. application Ser. No. 08/886,829 (filed Jul. 1, 1997), Ser. No. 09/108,673 (filed Jul. 1, 1998), Ser. No. 09/256,515 (filed Feb. 23, 1999), Ser. No. 09/082,624 (filed May 21, 1998) and Ser. No. 09/315,298 (filed May 20, 1999) each of which is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Compositions and formulations for parenteral, intrathecal or intraventricular administration may include sterile aqueous solutions which may also contain buffers, diluents and other suitable additives such as, but not limited to, penetration enhancers, carrier compounds and other pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or excipients.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention include, but are not limited to, solutions, emulsions, and liposome-containing formulations. These compositions may be generated from a variety of components that include, but are not limited to, preformed liquids, self-emulsifying solids and self-emulsifying semisolids.

The pharmaceutical formulations of the present invention, which may conveniently be presented in unit dosage form, may be prepared according to conventional techniques well known in the pharmaceutical industry. Such techniques include the step of bringing into association the active ingredients with the pharmaceutical carrier(s) or excipient(s). In general the formulations are prepared by uniformly and intimately bringing into association the active ingredients with liquid carriers or finely divided solid carriers or both, and then, if necessary, shaping the product.

The compositions of the present invention may be formulated into any of many possible dosage forms such as, but not limited to, tablets, capsules, gel capsules, liquid syrups, soft gels, suppositories, and enemas. The compositions of the present invention may also be formulated as suspensions in aqueous, non-aqueous or mixed media. Aqueous suspensions may further contain substances which increase the viscosity of the suspension including, for example, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, sorbitol and/or dextran. The suspension may also contain stabilizers.

In one embodiment of the present invention the pharmaceutical compositions may be formulated and used as foams. Pharmaceutical foams include formulations such as, but not limited to, emulsions, microemulsions, creams, jellies and liposomes. While basically similar in nature these formulations vary in the components and the consistency of the final product. The preparation of such compositions and formulations is generally known to those skilled in the pharmaceutical and formulation arts and may be applied to the formulation of the compositions of the present invention.

Emulsions

The compositions of the present invention may be prepared and formulated as emulsions. Emulsions are typically heterogenous systems of one liquid dispersed in another in the form of droplets usually exceeding 0.1 μm in diameter. (Idson, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 199; Rosoff, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., Volume 1, p. 245; Block in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 2, p. 335; Higuchi et al., in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa., 1985, p. 301). Emulsions are often biphasic systems comprising of two immiscible liquid phases intimately mixed and dispersed with each other. In general, emulsions may be either water-in-oil (w/o) or of the oil-in-water (o/w) variety. When an aqueous phase is finely divided into and dispersed as minute droplets into a bulk oily phase the resulting composition is called a water-in-oil (w/o) emulsion. Alternatively, when an oily phase is finely divided into and dispersed as minute droplets into a bulk aqueous phase the resulting composition is called an oil-in-water (o/w) emulsion. Emulsions may contain additional components in addition to the dispersed phases and the active drug which may be present as a solution in either the aqueous phase, oily phase or itself as a separate phase. Pharmaceutical excipients such as emulsifiers, stabilizers, dyes, and anti-oxidants may also be present in emulsions as needed. Pharmaceutical emulsions may also be multiple emulsions that are comprised of more than two phases such as, for example, in the case of oil-in-water-in-oil (o/w/o) and water-in-oil-in-water (w/o/w) emulsions. Such complex formulations often provide certain advantages that simple binary emulsions do not. Multiple emulsions in which individual oil droplets of an o/w emulsion enclose small water droplets constitute a w/o/w emulsion. Likewise a system of oil droplets enclosed in globules of water stabilized in an oily continuous provides an o/w/o emulsion.

Emulsions are characterized by little or no thermodynamic stability. Often, the dispersed or discontinuous phase of the emulsion is well dispersed into the external or continuous phase and maintained in this form through the means of emulsifiers or the viscosity of the formulation. Either of the phases of the emulsion may be a semisolid or a solid, as is the case of emulsion-style ointment bases and creams. Other means of stabilizing emulsions entail the use of emulsifiers that may be incorporated into either phase of the emulsion. Emulsifiers may broadly be classified into four categories: synthetic surfactants, naturally occurring emulsifiers, absorption bases, and finely dispersed solids (Idson, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 199).

Synthetic surfactants, also known as surface active agents, have found wide applicability in the formulation of emulsions and have been reviewed in the literature (Rieger, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 285; Idson, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., 1988, volume 1, p. 199). Surfactants are typically amphiphilic and comprise a hydrophilic and a hydrophobic portion. The ratio of the hydrophilic to the hydrophobic nature of the surfactant has been termed the hydrophile/lipophile balance (HLB) and is a valuable tool in categorizing and selecting surfactants in the preparation of formulations. Surfactants may be classified into different classes based on the nature of the hydrophilic group: nonionic, anionic, cationic and amphoteric (Rieger, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 285).

Naturally occurring emulsifiers used in emulsion formulations include lanolin, beeswax, phosphatides, lecithin and acacia. Absorption bases possess hydrophilic properties such that they can soak up water to form w/o emulsions yet retain their semisolid consistencies, such as anhydrous lanolin and hydrophilic petrolatum. Finely divided solids have also been used as good emulsifiers especially in combination with surfactants and in viscous preparations. These include polar inorganic solids, such as heavy metal hydroxides, non-swelling clays such as bentonite, attapulgite, hectorite, kaolin, montmorillonite, colloidal aluminum silicate and colloidal magnesium aluminum silicate, pigments and nonpolar solids such as carbon or glyceryl tristearate.

A large variety of non-emulsifying materials are also included in emulsion formulations and contribute to the properties of emulsions. These include fats, oils, waxes, fatty acids, fatty alcohols, fatty esters, humectants, hydrophilic colloids, preservatives and antioxidants (Block, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 335; Idson, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 199).

Hydrophilic colloids or hydrocolloids include naturally occurring gums and synthetic polymers such as polysaccharides (for example, acacia, agar, alginic acid, carrageenan, guar gum, karaya gum, and tragacanth), cellulose derivatives (for example, carboxymethylcellulose and carboxypropylcellulose), and synthetic polymers (for example, carbomers, cellulose ethers, and carboxyvinyl polymers). These disperse or swell in water to form colloidal solutions that stabilize emulsions by forming strong interfacial films around the dispersed-phase droplets and by increasing the viscosity of the external phase.

Since emulsions often contain a number of ingredients such as carbohydrates, proteins, sterols and phosphatides that may readily support the growth of microbes, these formulations often incorporate preservatives. Commonly used preservatives included in emulsion formulations include methyl paraben, propyl paraben, quaternary ammonium salts, benzalkonium chloride, esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid, and boric acid. Antioxidants are also commonly added to emulsion formulations to prevent deterioration of the formulation. Antioxidants used may be free radical scavengers such as tocopherols, alkyl gallates, butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, or reducing agents such as ascorbic acid and sodium metabisulfite, and antioxidant synergists such as citric acid, tartaric acid, and lecithin.

The application of emulsion formulations via dermatological, oral and parenteral routes and methods for their manufacture have been reviewed in the literature (Idson, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 199). Emulsion formulations for oral delivery have been very widely used because of reasons of ease of formulation, efficacy from an absorption and bioavailability standpoint. (Rosoff, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 245; Idson, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 199). Mineral-oil base laxatives, oil-soluble vitamins and high fat nutritive preparations are among the materials that have commonly been administered orally as o/w emulsions.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the compositions of oligonucleotides and nucleic acids are formulated as microemulsions. A microemulsion may be defined as a system of water, oil and amphiphile which is a single optically isotropic and thermodynamically stable liquid solution (Rosoff, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 245). Typically microemulsions are systems that are prepared by first dispersing an oil in an aqueous surfactant solution and then adding a sufficient amount of a fourth component, generally an intermediate chain-length alcohol to form a transparent system. Therefore, microemulsions have also been described as thermodynamically stable, isotropically clear dispersions of two immiscible liquids that are stabilized by interfacial films of surface-active molecules (Leung and Shah, in: Controlled Release of Drugs: Polymers and Aggregate Systems, Rosoff, M., Ed., 1989, VCH Publishers, New York, pages 185-215). Microemulsions commonly are prepared via a combination of three to five components that include oil, water, surfactant, cosurfactant and electrolyte. Whether the microemulsion is of the water-in-oil (w/o) or an oil-in-water (o/w) type is dependent on the properties of the oil and surfactant used and on the structure and geometric packing of the polar heads and hydrocarbon tails of the surfactant molecules (Schott, in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa., 1985, p. 271).

The phenomenological approach utilizing phase diagrams has been extensively studied and has yielded a comprehensive knowledge, to one skilled in the art, of how to formulate microemulsions (Rosoff, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 245; Block, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 335). Compared to conventional emulsions, microemulsions offer the advantage of solubilizing water-insoluble drugs in a formulation of thermodynamically stable droplets that are formed spontaneously.

Surfactants used in the preparation of microemulsions include, but are not limited to, ionic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, Brij 96, polyoxyethylene oleyl ethers, polyglycerol fatty acid esters, tetraglycerol monolaurate (ML310), tetraglycerol monooleate (M0310), hexaglycerol monooleate (PO310), hexaglycerol pentaoleate (PO500), decaglycerol monocaprate (MCA750), decaglycerol monooleate (M0750), decaglycerol sequioleate (SO750), decaglycerol decaoleate (DA0750), alone or in combination with cosurfactants. The cosurfactant, usually a short-chain alcohol such as ethanol, 1-propanol, and 1-butanol, serves to increase the interfacial fluidity by penetrating into the surfactant film and consequently creating a disordered film because of the void space generated among surfactant molecules. Microemulsions may, however, be prepared without the use of cosurfactants and alcohol-free self-emulsifying microemulsion systems are known in the art. The aqueous phase may typically be, but is not limited to, water, an aqueous solution of the drug, glycerol, PEG300, PEG400, polyglycerols, propylene glycols, and derivatives of ethylene glycol. The oil phase may include, but is not limited to, materials such as Captex 300, Captex 355, Capmul MCM, fatty acid esters, medium chain (C8-C12) mono, di, and tri-glycerides, polyoxyethylated glyceryl fatty acid esters, fatty alcohols, polyglycolized glycerides, saturated polyglycolized C8-C10 glycerides, vegetable oils and silicone oil.

Microemulsions are particularly of interest from the standpoint of drug solubilization and the enhanced absorption of drugs. Lipid based microemulsions (both o/w and w/o) have been proposed to enhance the oral bioavailability of drugs, including peptides (Constantinides et al., Pharmaceutical Research, 1994, 11, 1385-1390; Ritschel, Meth. Find. Exp. Clin. Pharmacol., 1993, 13, 205). Microemulsions afford advantages of improved drug solubilization, protection of drug from enzymatic hydrolysis, possible enhancement of drug absorption due to surfactant-induced alterations in membrane fluidity and permeability, ease of preparation, ease of oral administration over solid dosage forms, improved clinical potency, and decreased toxicity (Constantinides et al., Pharmaceutical Research, 1994, 11, 1385; Ho et al., J. Pharm. Sci., 1996, 85, 138-143). Often microemulsions may form spontaneously when their components are brought together at ambient temperature. This may be particularly advantageous when formulating thermolabile drugs, peptides or oligonucleotides. Microemulsions have also been effective in the transdermal delivery of active components in both cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications. It is expected that the microemulsion compositions and formulations of the present invention will facilitate the increased systemic absorption of oligonucleotides and nucleic acids from the gastrointestinal tract, as well as improve the local cellular uptake of oligonucleotides and nucleic acids within the gastrointestinal tract, vagina, buccal cavity and other areas of administration.

Microemulsions of the present invention may also contain additional components and additives such as sorbitan monostearate (Grill 3), Labrasol, and penetration enhancers to improve the properties of the formulation and to enhance the absorption of the oligonucleotides and nucleic acids of the present invention. Penetration enhancers used in the microemulsions of the present invention may be classified as belonging to one of five broad categories—surfactants, fatty acids, bile salts, chelating agents, and non-chelating non-surfactants (Lee et al., Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1991, p. 92). Each of these classes has been discussed above.

Liposomes

There are many organized surfactant structures besides microemulsions that have been studied and used for the formulation of drugs. These include monolayers, micelles, bilayers and vesicles. Vesicles, such as liposomes, have attracted great interest because of their specificity and the duration of action they offer from the standpoint of drug delivery. As used in the present invention, the term “liposome” means a vesicle composed of amphiphilic lipids arranged in a spherical bilayer or bilayers.

Liposomes are unilamellar or multilamellar vesicles which have a membrane formed from a lipophilic material and an aqueous interior. The aqueous portion contains the composition to be delivered. Cationic liposomes possess the advantage of being able to fuse to the cell wall. Non-cationic liposomes, although not able to fuse as efficiently with the cell wall, are taken up by macrophages in vivo.

In order to cross intact mammalian skin, lipid vesicles must pass through a series of fine pores, each with a diameter less than 50 nm, under the influence of a suitable transdermal gradient. Therefore, it is desirable to use a liposome which is highly deformable and able to pass through such fine pores.

Further advantages of liposomes include; liposomes obtained from natural phospholipids are biocompatible and biodegradable; liposomes can incorporate a wide range of water and lipid soluble drugs; liposomes can protect encapsulated drugs in their internal compartments from metabolism and degradation (Rosoff, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Lieberman, Rieger and Banker (Eds.), 1988, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., volume 1, p. 245). Important considerations in the preparation of liposome formulations are the lipid surface charge, vesicle size and the aqueous volume of the liposomes.

Liposomes are useful for the transfer and delivery of active ingredients to the site of action. Because the liposomal membrane is structurally similar to biological membranes, when liposomes are applied to a tissue, the liposomes start to merge with the cellular membranes. As the merging of the liposome and cell progresses, the liposomal contents are emptied into the cell where the active agent may act.

Liposomal formulations have been the focus of extensive investigation as the mode of delivery for many drugs. There is growing evidence that for topical administration, liposomes present several advantages over other formulations. Such advantages include reduced side-effects related to high systemic absorption of the administered drug, increased accumulation of the administered drug at the desired target, and the ability to administer a wide variety of drugs, both hydrophilic and hydrophobic, into the skin.

Several reports have detailed the ability of liposomes to deliver agents including high-molecular weight DNA into the skin. Compounds including analgesics, antibodies, hormones and high-molecular weight DNAs have been administered to the skin. The majority of applications resulted in the targeting of the upper epidermis.

Liposomes fall into two broad classes. Cationic liposomes are positively charged liposomes which interact with the negatively charged DNA molecules to form a stable complex. The positively charged DNA/liposome complex binds to the negatively charged cell surface and is internalized in an endosome. Due to the acidic pH within the endosome, the liposomes are ruptured, releasing their contents into the cell cytoplasm (Wang et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 1987, 147, 980-985).

Liposomes which are pH-sensitive or negatively-charged, entrap DNA rather than complex with it. Since both the DNA and the lipid are similarly charged, repulsion rather than complex formation occurs. Nevertheless, some DNA is entrapped within the aqueous interior of these liposomes. pH-sensitive liposomes have been used to deliver DNA encoding the thymidine kinase gene to cell monolayers in culture. Expression of the exogenous gene was detected in the target cells (Zhou et al., Journal of Controlled Release, 1992, 19, 269-274).

One major type of liposomal composition includes phospholipids other than naturally-derived phosphatidylcholine. Neutral liposome compositions, for example, can be formed from dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine (DMPC) or dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC). Anionic liposome compositions generally are formed from dimyristoyl phosphatidylglycerol, while anionic fusogenic liposomes are formed primarily from dioleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE). Another type of liposomal composition is formed from phosphatidylcholine (PC) such as, for example, soybean PC, and egg PC. Another type is formed from mixtures of phospholipid and/or phosphatidylcholine and/or cholesterol.

Several studies have assessed the topical delivery of liposomal drug formulations to the skin. Application of liposomes containing interferon to guinea pig skin resulted in a reduction of skin herpes sores while delivery of interferon via other means (e.g. as a solution or as an emulsion) were ineffective (Weiner et al., Journal of Drug Targeting, 1992, 2, 405-410). Further, an additional study tested the efficacy of interferon administered as part of a liposomal formulation to the administration of interferon using an aqueous system, and concluded that the liposomal formulation was superior to aqueous administration (du Plessis et al., Antiviral Research, 1992, 18, 259-265).

Non-ionic liposomal systems have also been examined to determine their utility in the delivery of drugs to the skin, in particular systems comprising non-ionic surfactant and cholesterol. Non-ionic liposomal formulations comprising Novasome™ I (glyceryl dilaurate/cholesterol/polyoxyethylene-10-stearyl ether) and Novasome™ II (glyceryl distearate/cholesterol/polyoxyethylene-10-stearyl ether) were used to deliver cyclosporin-A into the dermis of mouse skin. Results indicated that such non-ionic liposomal systems were effective in facilitating the deposition of cyclosporin-A into different layers of the skin (Hu et al. S. T. P. Pharma. Sci., 1994, 4, 6, 466).

Liposomes also include “sterically stabilized” liposomes, a term which, as used herein, refers to liposomes comprising one or more specialized lipids that, when incorporated into liposomes, result in enhanced circulation lifetimes relative to liposomes lacking such specialized lipids. Examples of sterically stabilized liposomes are those in which part of the vesicle-forming lipid portion of the liposome (A) comprises one or more glycolipids, such as monosialoganglioside G_(M1), or (B) is derivatized with one or more hydrophilic polymers, such as a polyethylene glycol (PEG) moiety. While not wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is thought in the art that, at least for sterically stabilized liposomes containing gangliosides, sphingomyelin, or PEG-derivatized lipids, the enhanced circulation half-life of these sterically stabilized liposomes derives from a reduced uptake into cells of the reticuloendothelial system (RES) (Allen et al., FEBS Letters, 1987, 223, 42; Wu et al., Cancer Research, 1993, 53, 3765).

Various liposomes comprising one or more glycolipids are known in the art. Papahadjopoulos et al. (Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 1987, 507, 64) reported the ability of monosialoganglioside G_(M1), galactocerebroside sulfate and phosphatidylinositol to improve blood half-lives of liposomes. These findings were expounded upon by Gabizon et al. (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 1988, 85, 6949). U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,028 and WO 88/04924, both to Allen et al., disclose liposomes comprising (1) sphingomyelin and (2) the ganglioside G_(m), or a galactocerebroside sulfate ester. U.S. Pat. No. 5,543,152 (Webb et al.) discloses liposomes comprising sphingomyelin. Liposomes comprising 1,2-sn-dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine are disclosed in WO 97/13499 (Lim et al.).

Many liposomes comprising lipids derivatized with one or more hydrophilic polymers, and methods of preparation thereof, are known in the art. Sunamoto et al. (Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn., 1980, 53, 2778) described liposomes comprising a nonionic detergent, 2C₁₂ 15G, that contains a PEG moiety. Illum et al. (FEBS Lett., 1984, 167, 79) noted that hydrophilic coating of polystyrene particles with polymeric glycols results in significantly enhanced blood half-lives. Synthetic phospholipids modified by the attachment of carboxylic groups of polyalkylene glycols (e.g., PEG) are described by Sears (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,426,330 and 4,534,899). Klibanov et al. (FESS Lett., 1990, 268, 235) described experiments demonstrating that liposomes comprising phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) derivatized with PEG or PEG stearate have significant increases in blood circulation half-lives. Blume et al. (Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 1990, 1029, 91) extended such observations to other PEG-derivatized phospholipids, e.g., DSPE-PEG, formed from the combination of distearoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DSPE) and PEG. Liposomes having covalently bound PEG moieties on their external surface are described in European Patent No. EP 0 445 131 B1 and WO 90/04384 to Fisher. Liposome compositions containing 1-20 mole percent of PE derivatized with PEG, and methods of use thereof, are described by Woodle et al. (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,013,556 and 5,356,633) and Martin et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,213,804 and European Patent No. EP 0 496 813 B1). Liposomes comprising a number of other lipid-polymer conjugates are disclosed in WO 91/05545 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,212 (both to Martin et al.) and in WO 94/20073 (Zalipsky et al.) Liposomes comprising PEG-modified ceramide lipids are described in WO 96/10391 (Choi et al.). U.S. Pat. No. 5,540,935 (Miyazaki et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,556,948 (Tagawa et al.) describe PEG-containing liposomes that can be further derivatized with functional moieties on their surfaces.

A limited number of liposomes comprising nucleic acids are known in the art. WO 96/40062 to Thierry et al. discloses methods for encapsulating high molecular weight nucleic acids in liposomes. U.S. Pat. No. 5,264,221 to Tagawa et al. discloses protein-bonded liposomes and asserts that the contents of such liposomes may include an antisense RNA. U.S. Pat. No. 5,665,710 to Rahman et al. describes certain methods of encapsulating oligodeoxynucleotides in liposomes. WO 97/04787 to Love et al. discloses liposomes comprising antisense oligonucleotides targeted to the raf gene.

Transfersomes are yet another type of liposomes, and are highly deformable lipid aggregates which are attractive candidates for drug delivery vehicles. Transfersomes may be described as lipid droplets which are so highly deformable that they are easily able to penetrate through pores which are smaller than the droplet. Transfersomes are adaptable to the environment in which they are used, e.g. they are self-optimizing (adaptive to the shape of pores in the skin), self-repairing, frequently reach their targets without fragmenting, and often self-loading. To make transfersomes it is possible to add surface edge-activators, usually surfactants, to a standard liposomal composition. Transfersomes have been used to deliver serum albumin to the skin. The transfersome-mediated delivery of serum albumin has been shown to be as effective as subcutaneous injection of a solution containing serum albumin.

Surfactants find wide application in formulations such as emulsions (including microemulsions) and liposomes. The most common way of classifying and ranking the properties of the many different types of surfactants, both natural and synthetic, is by the use of the hydrophile/lipophile balance (HLB). The nature of the hydrophilic group (also known as the “head”) provides the most useful means for categorizing the different surfactants used in formulations (Rieger, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., 1988, p. 285).

If the surfactant molecule is not ionized, it is classified as a nonionic surfactant. Nonionic surfactants find wide application in pharmaceutical and cosmetic products and are usable over a wide range of pH values. In general their HLB values range from 2 to about 18 depending on their structure. Nonionic surfactants include nonionic esters such as ethylene glycol esters, propylene glycol esters, glyceryl esters, polyglyceryl esters, sorbitan esters, sucrose esters, and ethoxylated esters. Nonionic alkanolamides and ethers such as fatty alcohol ethoxylates, propoxylated alcohols, and ethoxylated/propoxylated block polymers are also included in this class. The polyoxyethylene surfactants are the most popular members of the nonionic surfactant class.

If the surfactant molecule carries a negative charge when it is dissolved or dispersed in water, the surfactant is classified as anionic. Anionic surfactants include carboxylates such as soaps, acyl lactylates, acyl amides of amino acids, esters of sulfuric acid such as alkyl sulfates and ethoxylated alkyl sulfates, sulfonates such as alkyl benzene sulfonates, acyl isethionates, acyl taurates and sulfosuccinates, and phosphates. The most important members of the anionic surfactant class are the alkyl sulfates and the soaps.

If the surfactant molecule carries a positive charge when it is dissolved or dispersed in water, the surfactant is classified as cationic. Cationic surfactants include quaternary ammonium salts and ethoxylated amines. The quaternary ammonium salts are the most used members of this class.

If the surfactant molecule has the ability to carry either a positive or negative charge, the surfactant is classified as amphoteric. Amphoteric surfactants include acrylic acid derivatives, substituted alkylamides, N-alkylbetaines and phosphatides.

The use of surfactants in drug products, formulations and in emulsions has been reviewed (Rieger, in Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., 1988, p. 285).

Penetration Enhancers

In one embodiment, the present invention employs various penetration enhancers to effect the efficient delivery of nucleic acids, particularly oligonucleotides, to the skin of animals. Most drugs are present in solution in both ionized and nonionized forms. However, usually only lipid soluble or lipophilic drugs readily cross cell membranes. It has been discovered that even non-lipophilic drugs may cross cell membranes if the membrane to be crossed is treated with a penetration enhancer. In addition to aiding the diffusion of non-lipophilic drugs across cell membranes, penetration enhancers also enhance the permeability of lipophilic drugs.

Penetration enhancers may be classified as belonging to one of five broad categories, i.e., surfactants, fatty acids, bile salts, chelating agents, and non-chelating non-surfactants (Lee et al., Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1991, p. 92). Each of the above mentioned classes of penetration enhancers are described below in greater detail.

Surfactants: In connection with the present invention, surfactants (or “surface-active agents”) are chemical entities which, when dissolved in an aqueous solution, reduce the surface tension of the solution or the interfacial tension between the aqueous solution and another liquid, with the result that absorption of oligonucleotides through the mucosa is enhanced. In addition to bile salts and fatty acids, these penetration enhancers include, for example, sodium lauryl sulfate, polyoxyethylene-9-lauryl ether and polyoxyethylene-20-cetyl ether) (Lee et al., Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1991, p. 92); and perfluorochemical emulsions, such as FC-43. Takahashi et al., J. Pharm. Pharmacol., 1988, 40, 252).

Fatty acids: Various fatty acids and their derivatives which act as penetration enhancers include, for example, oleic acid, lauric acid, capric acid (n-decanoic acid), myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, dicaprate, tricaprate, monoolein (1-monooleoyl-rac-glycerol), dilaurin, caprylic acid, arachidonic acid, glycerol 1-monocaprate, 1-dodecylazacycloheptan-2-one, acylcarnitines, acylcholines, C₁₋₁₀ alkyl esters thereof (e.g., methyl, isopropyl and t-butyl), and mono- and di-glycerides thereof (i.e., oleate, laurate, caprate, myristate, palmitate, stearate, linoleate, etc.) (Lee et al., Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1991, p. 92; Muranishi, Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1990, 7, 1-33; El Hariri et al., J. Pharm. Pharmacol., 1992, 44, 651-654).

Bile salts: The physiological role of bile includes the facilitation of dispersion and absorption of lipids and fat-soluble vitamins (Brunton, Chapter 38 in: Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 9th Ed., Hardman et al. Eds., McGraw-Hill, New York, 1996, pp. 934-935). Various natural bile salts, and their synthetic derivatives, act as penetration enhancers. Thus the term “bile salts” includes any of the naturally occurring components of bile as well as any of their synthetic derivatives. The bile salts of the invention include, for example, cholic acid (or its pharmaceutically acceptable sodium salt, sodium cholate), dehydrocholic acid (sodium dehydrocholate), deoxycholic acid (sodium deoxycholate), glucholic acid (sodium glucholate), glycholic acid (sodium glycocholate), glycodeoxycholic acid (sodium glycodeoxycholate), taurocholic acid (sodium taurocholate), taurodeoxycholic acid (sodium taurodeoxy-cholate), chenodeoxycholic acid (sodium chenodeoxycholate), ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), sodium tauro-24,25-dihydro-fusidate (STDHF), sodium glycodihydrofusidate and polyoxyethylene-9-lauryl ether (POE) (Lee et al., Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1991, page 92; Swinyard, Chapter 39 In: Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th Ed., Gennaro, ed., Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa., 1990, pages 782-783; Muranishi, Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1990, 7, 1-33; Yamamoto et al., J. Pharm. Exp. Ther., 1992, 263, 25; Yamashita et al., J. Pharm. Sci., 1990, 79, 579-583).

Chelating Agents: Chelating agents, as used in connection with the present invention, can be defined as compounds that remove metallic ions from solution by forming complexes therewith, with the result that absorption of oligonucleotides through the mucosa is enhanced. With regards to their use as penetration enhancers in the present invention, chelating agents have the added advantage of also serving as DNase inhibitors, as most characterized DNA nucleases require a divalent metal ion for catalysis and are thus inhibited by chelating agents (Jarrett, J. Chromatogr., 1993, 618, 315-339). Chelating agents of the invention include but are not limited to disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA), citric acid, salicylates (e.g., sodium salicylate, 5-methoxysalicylate and homovanilate), N-acyl derivatives of collagen, laureth-9 and N-amino acyl derivatives of beta-diketones (enamines) (Lee et al., Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1991, page 92; Muranishi, Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1990, 7, 1-33; Buur et al., J. Control Rel., 1990, 14, 43-51).

Non-chelating non-surfactants: As used herein, non-chelating non-surfactant penetration enhancing compounds can be defined as compounds that demonstrate insignificant activity as chelating agents or as surfactants but that nonetheless enhance absorption of oligonucleotides through the alimentary mucosa (Muranishi, Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1990, 7, 1-33). This class of penetration enhancers include, for example, unsaturated cyclic ureas, 1-alkyl- and 1-alkenylazacyclo-alkanone derivatives (Lee et al., Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 1991, page 92); and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents such as diclofenac sodium, indomethacin and phenylbutazone (Yamashita et al., J. Pharm. Pharmacol., 1987, 39, 621-626).

Agents that enhance uptake of oligonucleotides at the cellular level may also be added to the pharmaceutical and other compositions of the present invention. For example, cationic lipids, such as lipofectin (Junichi et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,705,188), cationic glycerol derivatives, and polycationic molecules, such as polylysine (Lollo et al., PCT Application WO 97/30731), are also known to enhance the cellular uptake of oligonucleotides.

Other agents may be utilized to enhance the penetration of the administered nucleic acids, including glycols such as ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, pyrrols such as 2-pyrrol, azones, and terpenes such as limonene and menthone.

Other Components

The compositions of the present invention may additionally contain other adjunct components conventionally found in pharmaceutical compositions, at their art-established usage levels. Thus, for example, the compositions may contain additional, compatible, pharmaceutically-active materials such as, for example, antipruritics, astringents, local anesthetics or anti-inflammatory agents, or may contain additional materials useful in physically formulating various dosage forms of the compositions of the present invention, such as dyes, flavoring agents, preservatives, antioxidants, opacifiers, thickening agents and stabilizers. However, such materials, when added, should not unduly interfere with the biological activities of the components of the compositions of the present invention. The formulations can be sterilized and, if desired, mixed with auxiliary agents, e.g., lubricants, preservatives, stabilizers, wetting agents, emulsifiers, salts for influencing osmotic pressure, buffers, colorings, flavorings and/or aromatic substances and the like which do not deleteriously interact with the nucleic acid(s) of the formulation.

Aqueous suspensions may contain substances which increase the viscosity of the suspension including, for example, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, sorbitol and/or dextran. The suspension may also contain stabilizers.

Certain embodiments of the invention provide pharmaceutical compositions containing (a) one or more antisense compounds and (b) one or more other chemotherapeutic agents which function by a non-antisense mechanism. Examples of such chemotherapeutic agents include but are not limited to daunorubicin, daunomycin, dactinomycin, doxorubicin, epirubicin, idarubicin, esorubicin, bleomycin, mafosfamide, ifosfamide, cytosine arabinoside, bis-chloroethylnitrosurea, busulfan, mitomycin C, actinomycin D, mithramycin, prednisone, hydroxyprogesterone, testosterone, tamoxifen, dacarbazine, procarbazine, hexamethylmelamine, pentamethylmelamine, mito-xantrone, amsacrine, chlorambucil, methylcyclohexylnitrosurea, nitrogen mustards, melphalan, cyclophosphamide, 6-mercaptopurine, 6-thioguanine, cytarabine, 5-azacytidine, hydroxyurea, deoxycoformycin, 4-hydroxyperoxycyclophosphor-amide, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), 5-fluorodeoxyuridine (5-FUdR), methotrexate (MTX), colchicine, taxol, vincristine, vinblastine, etoposide (VP-16), trimetrexate, irinotecan, topotecan, gemcitabine, teniposide, cisplatin and diethylstilbestrol (DES). See, generally, The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, 15th Ed. 1987, pp. 1206-1228, Berkow et al., eds., Rahway, N.J. When used with the compounds of the invention, such chemotherapeutic agents may be used individually (e.g., 5-FU and oligonucleotide), sequentially (e.g., 5-FU and oligonucleotide for a period of time followed by MTX and oligonucleotide), or in combination with one or more other such chemotherapeutic agents (e.g., 5-FU, MTX and oligonucleotide, or 5-FU, radiotherapy and oligonucleotide). Anti-inflammatory drugs, including but not limited to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids, and antiviral drugs, including but not limited to ribivirin, vidarabine, acyclovir and ganciclovir, may also be combined in compositions of the invention. See, generally, The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, 15th Ed., Berkow et al., eds., 1987, Rahway, N.J., pages 2499-2506 and 46-49, respectively). Other non-antisense chemotherapeutic agents are also within the scope of this invention. Two or more combined compounds may be used together or sequentially. In another related embodiment, compositions of the invention may contain one or more antisense compounds, particularly oligonucleotides, targeted to a first nucleic acid and one or more additional antisense compounds targeted to a second nucleic acid target. Numerous examples of antisense compounds are known in the art. Two or more combined compounds may be used together or sequentially.

The antisense compounds used in accordance with this invention may be conveniently and routinely made through the well-known technique of solid phase synthesis. Equipment for such synthesis is sold by several vendors including, for example, Applied Biosystems (Foster City, Calif.). Any other means for such synthesis known in the art may additionally or alternatively be employed. It is well known to use similar techniques to prepare oligonucleotides such as the phosphorothioates and alkylated derivatives.

The antisense compounds of the invention are synthesized in vitro and do not include antisense compositions of biological origin, or genetic vector constructs designed to direct the in vivo synthesis of antisense molecules. The compounds of the invention may also be admixed, encapsulated, conjugated or otherwise associated with other molecules, molecule structures or mixtures of compounds, as for example, liposomes, receptor targeted molecules, oral, rectal, topical or other formulations, for assisting in uptake, distribution and/or absorption. Representative United States patents that teach the preparation of such uptake, distribution and/or absorption assisting formulations include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,108,921; 5,354,844; 5,416,016; 5,459,127; 5,521,291; 5,543,158; 5,547,932; 5,583,020; 5,591,721; 4,426,330; 4,534,899; 5,013,556; 5,108,921; 5,213,804; 5,227,170; 5,264,221; 5,356,633; 5,395,619; 5,416,016; 5,417,978; 5,462,854; 5,469,854; 5,512,295; 5,527,528; 5,534,259; 5,543,152; 5,556,948; 5,580,575; and 5,595,756, each of which is herein incorporated by reference.

Certain Indications

The specificity and sensitivity of antisense is also harnessed by those of skill in the art for therapeutic uses. Antisense oligonucleotides have been employed as therapeutic moieties in the treatment of disease states in animals and man. Antisense oligonucleotide drugs, including ribozymes, have been safely and effectively administered to humans and numerous clinical trials are presently underway. It is thus established that oligonucleotides can be useful therapeutic modalities that can be configured to be useful in treatment regimes for treatment of cells, tissues and animals, especially humans.

In certain embodiment of the invention provides a method of treating a disease or condition associated with expression of CTGF, wherein the disease is a hyperproliferative disorder which includes cancer, wherein the cancer is breast, prostate, renal, pancreatic, head and neck, gastric, and multiple myeloma cancer (See Pickles M and Leask A, J Cell Commun Signal. 2007 September; 1(2):85-90. Epub 2007 Jul. 17; Mullis T. C., Tang X., Chong K. T., J Clin Pathol. 2008 May; 61(5):606-10; Liu L. Y., et al. World J. Gastroenterol. 2008 Apr. 7; 14(13):2110-4; Chintalapudi M. R., et al., Carcinogenesis. 2008 April; 29(4):696-703. Epub 2008 Jan. 22; Munemasa S., et al. Br J. Haematol. 2007 October; 139(1):41-50; Shimo T., et al. J Bone Miner Res. 2006 July; 21(7):1045-59; and Yang F., et al. Cancer Res. 2005 Oct. 1; 65(19):8887-95.)

In one embodiment of the invention the method comprises treating a disease or condition, wherein the disease or disorder is a fibrotic disease. In one embodiment of the method of the invention, the fibrotic disease is hypertrophic scarring, keloids, skin scarring, liver fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, renal fibrosis, cardiac fibrosis, or restenosis.

In another embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises treating the above-mentioned disease or condition, wherein the disease or disorder is joint fibrosis (including frozen shoulder syndrome, tendon and peripheral nerve damage), spinal cord damage, coronary bypass, abdominal and peritoneal adhesions (including endometriosis, uterine leiomyomata and fibroids), radial keratotomy and photorefractive keratectomy, retinal reattachment surgery, device mediated fibrosis (in for example diabetes), tendon adhesions, Dupuytren contracture, or scleroderma.

In another embodiment of the invention also provides a method for reducing hypertropic scarring resulting from dermal wound healing in a subject in need thereof which comprises administering to the subject an amount of compound of an antisense oligonucleotide effective to inhibit expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in the subject so as to thereby reduce scarring from wound healing in the subject. The say subject may include a human or a non-human animal.

The formulation of therapeutic compositions and their subsequent administration is believed to be within the skill of those in the art. Dosing is dependent on severity and responsiveness of the disease state to be treated, with the course of treatment lasting from several days to several months, or until a cure is effected or a diminution of the disease state is achieved. Optimal dosing schedules can be calculated from measurements of drug accumulation in the body of the patient. Persons of ordinary skill can easily determine optimum dosages, dosing methodologies and repetition rates. Optimum dosages may vary depending on the relative potency of individual oligonucleotides, and can generally be estimated based on EC₅₀s found to be effective in in vitro and in vivo animal models. In general, dosage is from 0.01 μg to 100 g per kg of body weight, and may be given once or more daily, weekly, monthly or yearly, or even once every 2 to 20 years. Persons of ordinary skill in the art can easily estimate repetition rates for dosing based on measured residence times and concentrations of the drug in bodily fluids or tissues. Following successful treatment, it may be desirable to have the patient undergo maintenance therapy to prevent the recurrence of the disease state, wherein the oligonucleotide is administered in maintenance doses, ranging from 0.01 μg to 100 g per kg of body weight, once or more daily, to once every 20 years.

In another embodiment of this invention, the method further comprises reducing hypertropic scarring resulting from dermal wound healing, wherein wound healing is healing at a wound selected from the group consisting of skin breakage, surgical incisions and burns.

In certain embodiments, the invention provides methods of treating an individual comprising administering one or more pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention. In certain embodiments, the individual has one of the above mentioned disorders. In certain embodiments, the individual is at risk for one of the above mentioned disorders. In certain embodiments, the individual has been identified as in need of therapy. In certain embodiments the invention provides methods for prophylactically reducing CTGF expression in an individual.

Certain embodiments include treating an individual in need thereof by administering to an individual a therapeutically effective amount of an antisense compound targeted to a CTGF nucleic acid.

In one embodiment, administration of a therapeutically effective amount of an antisense compound targeted to a CTGF nucleic acid is accompanied by monitoring of CTGF levels in the serum of an individual, to determine an individual's response to administration of the antisense compound. An individual's response to administration of the antisense compound is used by a physician to determine the amount and duration of therapeutic intervention.

In one embodiment, administration of an antisense compound targeted to a CTGF nucleic acid results in reduction of CTGF expression by at least 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95 or 99%, or a range defined by any two of these values. In one embodiment, administration of an antisense compound targeted to a CTGF nucleic acid results in a change in a measure of CTGF as measured by a standard test, for example, but not limited to, CTGF. In some embodiments, administration of a CTGF antisense compound increases the measure by at least 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95 or 99%, or a range defined by any two of these values. In some embodiments, administration of a CTGF antisense compound decreases the measure by at least 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95 or 99%, or a range defined by any two of these values.

In certain embodiments pharmaceutical composition comprising an antisense compound targeted to CTGF is used for the preparation of a medicament for treating a patient suffering or susceptible to any one of the above-mentioned disorders.

Certain Combination Therapies

In certain embodiments, one or more pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention are co-administered with one or more other pharmaceutical agents. In certain embodiments, such one or more other pharmaceutical agents are designed to treat the same disease or condition as the one or more pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention. In certain embodiments, such one or more other pharmaceutical agents are designed to treat a different disease or condition as the one or more pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention. In certain embodiments, such one or more other pharmaceutical agents are designed to treat an undesired effect of one or more pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention. In certain embodiments, one or more pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention are co-administered with another pharmaceutical agent to treat an undesired effect of that other pharmaceutical agent. In certain embodiments, one or more pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention and one or more other pharmaceutical agents are administered at the same time. In certain embodiments, one or more pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention and one or more other pharmaceutical agents are administered at different times. In certain embodiments, one or more pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention and one or more other pharmaceutical agents are prepared together in a single formulation. In certain embodiments, one or more pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention and one or more other pharmaceutical agents are prepared separately.

In certain embodiments, pharmaceutical agents that may be co-administered with a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention include a second therapeutic agent. In certain such embodiments, pharmaceutical agents that may be co-administered with a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention include, but are not limited to second therapeutic agent. In certain such embodiments, the second therapeutic agent is administered prior to administration of a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention. In certain such embodiments, the second therapeutic agent is administered following administration of a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention. In certain such embodiments the second therapeutic agent is administered at the same time as a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention. In certain such embodiments the dose of a co-administered second therapeutic agent is the same as the dose that would be administered if the second therapeutic agent was administered alone. In certain such embodiments the dose of a co-administered second therapeutic agent is lower than the dose that would be administered if the second therapeutic agent was administered alone. In certain such embodiments the dose of a co-administered second therapeutic agent is greater than the dose that would be administered if the second therapeutic agent was administered alone.

In certain embodiments, the co-administration of a second compound enhances the therapeutic effect of a first compound, such that co-administration of the compounds results in an therapeutic effect that is greater than the effect of administering the first compound alone, a synergistic effect. In other embodiments, the co-administration results in therapeutic effects that are additive of the effects of the compounds when administered alone. In other embodiments, the co-administration results in therapeutic effects that are supra-additive of the effects of the compounds when administered alone. In some embodiments, the first compound is an antisense compound. In some embodiments, the second compound is an antisense compound.

This invention is illustrated in the Experimental Details Section which follows. This section is set forth to aid in an understanding of the invention but is not intended to, and should not be construed to limit in any way the invention as set forth in the claims which follow thereafter.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Cell Culture and Antisense Compounds Treatment

The effects of antisense compounds on the level, activity or expression of CTGF nucleic acids can be tested in vitro in a variety of cell types. Cell types used for such analyses are available from commercial vendors (e.g. American Type Culture Collection, Manassus, Va.; Zen-Bio, Inc., Research Triangle Park, N.C.; Clonetics Corporation, Walkersville, Md.) and cells are cultured according to the vendor's instructions using commercially available reagents (e.g. Invitrogen Life Technologies, Carlsbad, Calif.). Illustrative cell types include, but are not limited to, HepG2 cells, Hep3B cells, and primary hepatocytes.

Example 2 In Vitro Testing of Antisense Oligonucleotides

Described herein are methods for treatment of cells with antisense oligonucleotides, which can be modified appropriately for treatment with other antisense compounds.

In general, cells are treated with antisense oligonucleotides when the cells reach approximately 60-80% confluency in culture.

One reagent commonly used to introduce antisense oligonucleotides into cultured cells includes the cationic lipid transfection reagent LIPOFECTIN® (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.). Antisense oligonucleotides are mixed with LIPOFECTIN® in OPTI-MEM® 1 (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.) to achieve the desired final concentration of antisense oligonucleotide and a LIPOFECTIN® concentration that typically ranges 2 to 12 μg/mL per 100 nM antisense oligonucleotide.

Another reagent used to introduce antisense oligonucleotides into cultured cells includes LIPOFECTAMINE® (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.). Antisense oligonucleotide is mixed with LIPOFECTAMINE® in OPTI-MEM® 1 reduced serum medium (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.) to achieve the desired concentration of antisense oligonucleotide and a LIPOFECTAMINE® concentration that typically ranges 2 to 12 μg/mL per 100 nM antisense oligonucleotide.

Cells are treated with antisense oligonucleotides by routine methods. Cells are typically harvested 16-24 hours after antisense oligonucleotide treatment, at which time RNA or protein levels of target nucleic acids are measured by methods known in the art and described herein. In general, when treatments are performed in multiple replicates, the data are presented as the average of the replicate treatments.

The concentration of antisense oligonucleotide used varies from cell line to cell line. Methods to determine the optimal antisense oligonucleotide concentration for a particular cell line are well known in the art. Antisense oligonucleotides are typically used at concentrations ranging from 1 nM to 300 nM.

Example 3 RNA Isolation

RNA analysis can be performed on total cellular RNA or poly(A)+ mRNA. Methods of RNA isolation are well known in the art. RNA is prepared using methods well known in the art, for example, using the TRIZOL® Reagent (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.) according to the manufacturer's recommended protocols.

Example 4 Analysis of Inhibition of Target Levels or Expression

Inhibition of levels or expression of a CTGF nucleic acid can be assayed in a variety of ways known in the art. For example, target nucleic acid levels can be quantitated by, e.g., Northern blot analysis, competitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR), or quantitative real-time PCR. RNA analysis can be performed on total cellular RNA or poly(A)+ mRNA. Methods of RNA isolation are well known in the art. Northern blot analysis is also routine in the art. Quantitative real-time PCR can be conveniently accomplished using the commercially available ABI PRISMS 7600, 7700, or 7900 Sequence Detection System, available from PE-Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif. and used according to manufacturer's instructions.

Example 5 Quantitative Real-Time PCR Analysis of Target RNA Levels

Quantitation of target RNA levels may be accomplished by quantitative real-time PCR using the ABI PRISM® 7600, 7700, or 7900 Sequence Detection System (PE-Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.) according to manufacturer's instructions. Methods of quantitative real-time PCR are well known in the art.

Prior to real-time PCR, the isolated RNA is subjected to a reverse transcriptase (RT) reaction, which produces complementary DNA (cDNA) that is then used as the substrate for the real-time PCR amplification. The RT and real-time PCR reactions are performed sequentially in the same sample well. RT and real-time PCR reagents are obtained from Invitrogen (Carlsbad, Calif.). RT, real-time-PCR reactions are carried out by methods well known to those skilled in the art.

Gene (or RNA) target quantities obtained by real time PCR are normalized using either the expression level of a gene whose expression is constant, such as cyclophilin A, or by quantifying total RNA using RIBOGREEN® (Invitrogen, Inc. Carlsbad, Calif.). Cyclophilin A expression is quantified by real time PCR, by being run simultaneously with the target, multiplexing, or separately. Total RNA is quantified using RIBOGREEN® RNA quantification reagent (Invetrogen, Inc. Eugene, Oreg.). Methods of RNA quantification by RIBOGREEN® are taught in Jones, L. J., et al, (Analytical Biochemistry, 1998, 265, 368-374). A CYTOFLUOR® 4000 instrument (PE Applied Biosystems) is used to measure RIBOGREEN® fluorescence.

Probes and primers are designed to hybridize to a CTGF nucleic acid. Methods for designing real-time PCR probes and primers are well known in the art, and may include the use of software such as PRIMER EXPRESS® Software (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.).

Example 6 Analysis of Protein Levels

Antisense inhibition of CTGF nucleic acids can be assessed by measuring CTGF protein levels. Protein levels of CTGF can be evaluated or quantitated in a variety of ways well known in the art, such as immunoprecipitation, Western blot analysis (immunoblotting) as described in Example 9 below, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), quantitative protein assays, protein activity assays (for example, caspase activity assays), immunohistochemistry, immunocytochemistry or fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Antibodies directed to a target can be identified and obtained from a variety of sources, such as the MSRS catalog of antibodies (Aerie Corporation, Birmingham, Mich.), or can be prepared via conventional monoclonal or polyclonal antibody generation methods well known in the art. Antibodies useful for the detection of human and rat CTGF are commercially available.

Example 7 In Vivo Testing of Antisense Compounds

Antisense compounds, for example, antisense oligonucleotides, are tested in animals to assess their ability to inhibit expression of CTGF and produce phenotypic changes. Testing may be performed in normal animals, or in experimental disease models. For administration to animals, antisense oligonucleotides are formulated in a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent, such as phosphate-buffered saline. Administration includes parenteral routes of administration, such as intraperitoneal, intravenous, and subcutaneous. Calculation of antisense oligonucleotide dosage and dosing frequency is within the abilities of those skilled in the art, and depends upon factors such as route of administration and animal body weight. Following a period of treatment with antisense oligonucleotides, RNA is isolated from liver tissue and changes in CTGF nucleic acid expression are measured. Changes in CTGF protein levels are also measured using the methods described hereinabove in Example 6.

Example 8 Selection of Lead Human Connective Tissue Growth Factors (CTGF) Antisense Oligonucleotides Candidate

Introduction

In accordance with the present invention, a series of oligonucleotides were designed to target different regions of the human connective tissue growth factor RNA, using published sequences (GenBank accession number NM_(—)001901.2, incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 9, and GenBank accession number NT_(—)025741.14, incorporated herein as SEQ ID NO: 10).

This study analyzes available sequence space and modified antisense oligonucleotides targeting both exonic and intronic space of CTGF. Approximately 150 novel sequences per target were synthesized and evaluated for activity against CTGF in cell-culture. The oligonucleotides are shown in Table 1. All compounds in Table 1 are chimeric oligonucleotides (“gapmers”) 20 nucleotides in length, composed of a central “gap” region consisting of either ten 2′-deoxynucleotides, which is flanked on both sides (5′ and 3′ directions) by five-nucleotides “wings” or 13 2′-deoxynucleotides, which is flanked on both sides (5′ and 3′ directions) by two- and five-nucleotides “wings,” respectively. The wings are composed of 2′-methoxyethyl (2′-MOE) nucleotides. The internucleoside (backbone) linkages are phosphorothioate (P═S) throughout the oligonucleotide. All cystidine residuals are 5-methycytidines. The compounds were analyzed for their effect on human connective tissue growth factor mRNA levels by quantitative real-time PCR as described in other examples herein. Data are averages from two experiments. If present, “N.D.” indicates “no data”.

TABLE 1 Inhibition of human connective tissue growth factor mRNA levels by chimeric phosphorothioate oligonucleotides having 2′-MOE wings and a deoxy gap TARGET SEQ ID TARGET % SEQ ID ISIS # REGION NO SITE SEQUENCE INHIB NO. 124173 CDS 9 380 CCAGCTGCTTGGCGCAGACG 35 11 124189 CDS 9 1003 GCCAGAAAGCTCAAACTTGA 57 12 129212 3′-UTR 9 1783 CCACAAGCTGTCCAGTCTAA 47 13 124235 3′-UTR 9 2267 GGTCACACTCTCAACAAATA 47 14 124238 3′-UTR 9 2282 AAACATGTAACTTTTGGTCA 53 15 412271 5′-UTR 9 4 GGGAAGAGTTGTTGTGTGAG 0 16 412272 5′-UTR 9 38 AGGGTGGAGTCGCACTGGCT 46 17 412273 CDS 9 228 ACGAAGGCGACGCGGACGGG 35 18 412274 CDS 9 265 GCCGACGGCCGGCCGGCTGC 40 19 412275 CDS 9 475 GGTGCACACGCCGATCTTGC 52 20 412276 CDS 9 483 TCTTTGGCGGTGCACACGCC 0 21 412277 CDS 9 489 GCACCATCTTTGGCGGTGCA 0 22 412278 CDS 9 496 GCAGGGAGCACCATCTTTGG 16 23 412279 CDS 9 501 AAGATGCAGGGAGCACCATC 63 24 412280 CDS 9 507 CCACCGAAGATGCAGGGAGC 0 25 412281 CDS 9 512 CCGTACCACCGAAGATGCAG 47 26 412282 CDS 9 553 GTACTTGCAGCTGCTCTGGA 68 27 412283 CDS 9 592 GGGCATGCAGCCCACCGCCC 72 28 412284 CDS 9 718 AGGCCCAACCACGGTTTGGT 59 29 412285 CDS 9 723 AGGGCAGGCCCAACCACGGT 79 30 412286 CDS 9 732 TAAGCCGCGAGGGCAGGCCC 55 31 412287 CDS 9 829 CCCACAGGTCTTGGAACAGG 30 32 412288 CDS 9 839 AGATGCCCATCCCACAGGTC 55 33 412289 3′-UTR 9 1273 CCAGTCTAATGAGTTAATGT 56 34 412290 3′-UTR 9 1281 TTCAAGTTCCAGTCTAATGA 10 35 412291 3′-UTR 9 1361 TTTTCCCCCAGTTAGAAAAA 38 36 412292 3′-UTR 9 1388 CACAATGTTTTGAATTGGGT 50 37 412293 3′-UTR 9 1394 ACATGGCACAATGTTTTGAA 67 38 412294 3′-UTR 9 1399 GTTTGACATGGCACAATGTT 73 39 412295 3′-UTR 9 1404 TATTTGTTTGACATGGCACA 74 40 412296 3′-UTR 9 1412 TGATAGACTATTTGTTTGAC 35 41 412297 3′-UTR 9 1457 GTTCCACTGTCAAGTCTTAA 55 42 412298 3′-UTR 9 1469 TGTACTAATGTAGTTCCACT 69 43 412299 3′-UTR 9 1482 CATTCTGGTGCTGTGTACTA 86 44 412300 3′-UTR 9 1489 TAATATACATTCTGGTGCTG 76 45 412301 3′-UTR 9 1495 ACACCTTAATATACATTCTG 54 46 412302 3′-UTR 9 1502 TAAAGCCACACCTTAATATA 54 47 412303 3′-UTR 9 1520 GTACCCTCCCACTGCTCCTA 53 48 412304 3′-UTR 9 1554 AAGATGCTATCTGATGATAC 52 49 412305 3′-UTR 9 1559 CGTATAAGATGCTATCTGAT 69 50 412306 3′-UTR 9 1577 AATAGCAGGCATATTACTCG 74 51 412307 3′-UTR 9 1586 TACACTTCAAATAGCAGGCA 69 52 412308 3′-UTR 9 1591 TCAATTACACTTCAAATAGC 50 53 412309 3′-UTR 9 1659 GGAGAATGCACATCCTAGCT 66 54 412310 3′-UTR 9 1665 ATGGCTGGAGAATGCACATC 60 55 412311 3′-UTR 9 1670 TCTTGATGGCTGGAGAATGC 71 56 412312 3′-UTR 9 1729 GAATCAGAATGTCAGAGCTG 37 57 412313 3′-UTR 9 1946 CATTGAAATATCAAAGCATT 0 58 412314 3′-UTR 9 1952 GGCTAACATTGAAATATCAA 25 59 412315 3′-UTR 9 1958 AATTGAGGCTAACATTGAAA 1 60 412316 3′-UTR 9 1965 GTTCAGAAATTGAGGCTAAC 65 61 412317 3′-UTR 9 1971 TATGGTGTTCAGAAATTGAG 13 62 412318 3′-UTR 9 1976 CTACCTATGGTGTTCAGAAA 61 63 412319 3′-UTR 9 1982 TACATTCTACCTATGGTGTT 38 64 412320 3′-UTR 9 1991 GACAAGCTTTACATTCTACC 24 65 412321 3′-UTR 9 1996 GATCAGACAAGCTTTACATT 37 66 412322 3′-UTR 9 2007 ATGCTTTGAACGATCAGACA 64 67 412323 3′-UTR 9 2012 ATTTCATGCTTTGAACGATC 44 68 412324 3′-UTR 9 2018 GTATCCATTTCATGCTTTGA 60 69 412325 3′-UTR 9 2026 CCATATAAGTATCCATTTCA 48 70 412326 3′-UTR 9 2032 GAATTTCCATATAAGTATCC 28 71 412327 3′-UTR 9 2040 TCTGAGCAGAATTTCCATAT 58 72 412328 3′-UTR 9 2050 TGTCATTCTATCTGAGCAGA 61 73 412329 3′-UTR 9 2060 TTTGACGGACTGTCATTCTA 47 74 412330 3′-UTR 9 2070 AACAATCTGTTTTGACGGAC 48 75 412331 3′-UTR 9 2088 TGATGCCTCCCCTTTGCAAA 53 76 412332 3′-UTR 9 2100 TGCCAAGGACACTGATGCCT 68 77 412333 3′-UTR 9 2105 CAGCCTGCCAAGGACACTGA 75 78 412334 3′-UTR 9 2110 GAAATCAGCCTGCCAAGGAC 60 79 412335 3′-UTR 9 2115 ACCTAGAAATCAGCCTGCCA 46 80 412336 3′-UTR 9 2120 TTCCTACCTAGAAATCAGCC 51 81 412337 3′-UTR 9 2128 TACCACATTTCCTACCTAGA 59 82 412338 3′-UTR 9 2134 TGAGGCTACCACATTTCCTA 0 83 412339 3′-UTR 9 2140 TAAAAGTGAGGCTACCACAT 48 84 412340 3′-UTR 9 2213 CAAATGCTTCCAGGTGAAAA 49 85 412341 3′-UTR 9 2219 TAGAAACAAATGCTTCCAGG 66 86 412342 3′-UTR 9 2230 TCATATCAAAGTAGAAACAA 12 87 412343 3′-UTR 9 2242 TCCGAAAAACAGTCATATCA 24 88 412368 Intron 1 10 1308 ACCCGGCTGCAGAGGGCGAG 0 89 412369 Intron 1 10 1313 CGCTTACCCGGCTGCAGAGG 0 90 412370 Intron 1 10 1410 GACAGGGCGGTCAGCGGCGC 0 91 412371 Intron 2 10 1730 AGTCCGAGCGGTTTCTTTTT 0 92 412372 Intron 2 10 1735 AACTCAGTCCGAGCGGTTTC 19 93 412373 Intron 2 10 1740 AAAGAAACTCAGTCCGAGCG 10 94 412374 Intron 2 10 1745 TGGAGAAAGAAACTCAGTCC 45 95 412375 Intron 2 10 1750 GCAGCTGGAGAAAGAAACTC 14 96 412376 Intron 2 10 1755 TGGCAGCAGCTGGAGAAAGA 46 97 412377 Intron 2 10 1887 AGGGAGCACCATCTTTGGCT 20 98 412378 Intron 3 10 2125 TCACCCGCGAGGGCAGGCCC 33 99 412379 Intron 3 10 2137 GGAAGACTCGACTCACCCGC 0 100 412380 Intron 3 10 2142 TTAGAGGAAGACTCGACTCA 0 101 412381 Intron 3 10 2150 ACCCTGACTTAGAGGAAGAC 47 102 412382 Intron 3 10 2155 TCACGACCCTGACTTAGAGG 31 103 412383 Intron 3 10 2160 GAGAATCACGACCCTGACTT 2 104 412384 Intron 3 10 2165 TGGGAGAGAATCACGACCCT 31 105 412385 Intron 3 10 2170 CTCCCTGGGAGAGAATCACT 0 106 412386 Intron 3 10 2191 GGTCGGCACAGTTAGGACTC 53 107 412387 Intron 3 10 2196 CGTTCGGTCGGCACAGTTAG 30 108 412388 Intron 3 10 2216 CCTGGATAAGGTATTTCCCC 0 109 412389 Intron 3 10 2235 ACAAACACCATGTAAAACGC 11 110 412390 Intron 3 10 2241 GAGCACACAAACACCATGTA 0 111 412391 Intron 3 10 2251 TGCGAGAGCAGAGCACACAA 0 112 412392 Intron 3 10 2256 TAAGCTGCGAGAGCAGAGCA 2 113 412393 Intron 3 10 2261 GTCGGTAAGCTGCGAGAGCA 23 114 412394 Intron 3 10 2266 TTCCAGTCGGTAAGCTGCGA 15 115 412395 Intron 4 10 2472 ACATGTACCTTAATGTTCTC 0 116 412396 Intron 4 10 2477 GCAGAACATGTACCTTAATG 0 117 412397 Intron 4 10 2482 TAGGAGCAGAACATGTACCT 9 118 412398 Intron 4 10 2487 GTTAATAGGAGCAGAACATG 19 119 412399 Intron 4 10 2496 TGAAAAATAGTTAATAGGAG 0 120 412400 Intron 4 10 2511 CCACTGTTTTTCCTGTGAAA 10 121 412401 Intron 4 10 2525 AAGTTGGGTCCTATCCACTG 28 122 412402 Intron 4 10 2530 GCCCTAAGTTGGGTCCTATC 20 123 412403 Intron 4 10 2535 CAAGAGCCCTAAGTTGGGTC 0 124 412404 Intron 4 10 2540 CGTGGCAAGAGCCCTAAGTT 64 125 412405 Intron 4 10 2558 CGGGCTTATACTAACAAGCG 6 126 412406 Intron 4 10 2563 GATAACGGGCTTATACTAAC 33 127 412407 Intron 4 10 2568 TTGGAGATAACGGGCTTATA 73 128 412408 Intron 4 10 2573 TAGTTTTGGAGATAACGGGC 51 129 412409 Intron 4 10 2578 TTAGATAGTTTTGGAGATAA 24 130 412410 Intron 4 10 2584 CAATGGTTAGATAGTTTTGG 36 131 412411 Intron 4 10 2589 CAGCTCAATGGTTAGATAGT 53 132 412412 Intron 4 10 2594 CAAAACAGCTCAATGGTTAG 34 133 412413 Intron 4 10 2599 TCCAGCAAAACAGCTCAATG 59 134 412414 Intron 4 10 2604 CTCATTCCAGCAAAACAGCT 42 135 412415 Intron 4 10 2609 AAGCTCTCATTCCAGCAAAA 57 136 412416 Intron 4 10 2614 TACACAAGCTCTCATTCCAG 44 137 412417 Intron 4 10 2623 GGTTGCTATTACACAAGCTC 72 138 412418 Intron 4 10 2628 CTGGTGGTTGCTATTACACA 61 139 412419 Intron 4 10 2633 GAAAACTGGTGGTTGCTATT 29 140 412420 Intron 4 10 2638 TAGTGGAAAACTGGTGGTTG 5 141 412421 Intron 4 10 2663 TTAACTAACCCTGTGGAAGA 15 142 412422 Intron 4 10 2672 TGTCTTGAATTAACTAACCC 4 143 412423 Intron 4 10 2677 TGGAATGTCTTGAATTAACT 0 144 412424 Intron 4 10 2691 GCCAGAGCCTCTCTTGGAAT 36 145 412425 Intron 4 10 2698 AAAAATAGCCAGAGCCTCTC 59 146 412426 Intron 4 10 2703 TGTCCAAAAATAGCCAGAGC 28 147 412427 Intron 4 10 2708 TGCTATGTCCAAAAATAGCC 15 148 412428 Intron 4 10 2713 TCATTTGCTATGTCCAAAAA 28 149 412429 Intron 4 10 2718 GAGTCTCATTTGCTATGTCC 20 150 412430 Intron 4 10 2723 AGTTTGAGTCTCATTTGCTA 30 151 412431 Intron 4 10 2728 GAGGAAGTTTGAGTCTCATT 55 152 412432 Intron 4 10 2763 CTTCTGTTGTCTGACTTCTG 55 153 412433 Intron 4 10 2778 CCTCTGTGTTTTAGTCTTCT 56 154 412434 Intron 4 10 2788 TTTCTTCAACCCTCTGTGTT 15 155 412435 Intron 4 10 2796 GGAGTGGCTTTCTTCAACCC 43 156 412436 Intron 4 10 2849 AGGAAGACAAGGGAAAAGAG 20 157 412437 Intron 4 10 2854 TTCTAAGGAAGACAAGGGAA 0 158 412438 Intron 4 10 2859 TGCCCTTCTAAGGAAGACAA 31 159 412439 Intron 2 10 1791 GGATGCGAGTTGGGATCTGG 0 160 412440 CDS 9 380 CCAGCTGCTTGGCGCAGACG 64 161 412441 CDS 9 1003 GCCAGAAAGCTCAAACTTGA 37 162 412442 3′-UTR 9 1783 CCACAAGCTGTCCAGTCTAA 32 163 412443 3′-UTR 9 2267 GGTCACACTCTCAACAAATA 59 164 412444 3′-UTR 9 2282 AAACATGTAACTTTTGGTCA 55 165 416899 3′-UTR 9 1391 TGACATGGCACAATGTTTTG ND* 166 *ND - i.e. not determined in the experiment but was highly active in another assay.

As shown in Table 1, SEQ ID NOs 11-15, 17-20, 24, 26-34, 36-57, 59, 61, 63-82, 84-86, 88, 95, 97, 99, 102, 103, 105, 107, 108, 122, 125, 127-140, 145, 146, 149, 151-154, 156, 159, 161-165 demonstrated at least 24% inhibition of human connective tissue growth factor expression in this assay and are therefore preferred. The target sites to which these preferred sequences are complementary are herein referred to as “active sites” and are therefore preferred sites for targeting by compounds of the present invention.

The antisense compound is complementary within a range of nucleotides on the CTGF sequence, i.e. within the range of nucleotides 718-751, 1388-1423, 1457-1689, 2040-2069, 2120-2147, or 2267-2301 of SEQ ID NO: 9. In a certain embodiment the antisense compound is complimentary within the range of nucleotides 2728-2797 of SEQ ID NO: 10. Compounds targeted to these ranges demonstrate at least 50% inhibition (i.e. SEQ ID NOs: 15, 29, 31, 42, 46-49, 53, 72, 81, 82, 152-154, 164, and 165). Certain target sites listed in Table 1 also demonstrate at least 50% inhibition (i.e. SEQ ID NOs: 12, 20, 33, 34, 76, 107, 129, 132, 134, 136, and 146).

In certain embodiments the antisense compound is complementary within the range of nucleotides 553-611, 1394-1423, 1469-1508, 1559-1605, 1659-1689 or 2100-2129. Compounds targeted therein demonstrate at least 60% inhibition (i.e. SEQ ID NOs: 27, 38, 43, 50, 52, 54, 55, 77, 79, and 86). Certain target sites listed in Table 1 also demonstrate at least 60% inhibition (i.e. SEQ ID NOs: 24, 61, 63, 67, 69, 73, 125, 139 and 161).

The antisense compound is also complementary within the range of nucleotides 1399-1423. Compounds targeted therein demonstrate at least 70% inhibition (i.e. SEQ ID NOs: 39 and 40). Certain target sites listed in Table 1 also demonstrate at least 70% inhibition (i.e. SEQ ID NOs: 28, 30, 45, 51, 56, 78, 128, and 138). One target site listed in Table 1 also demonstrates at least 80% inhibition (i.e. SEQ ID NO: 44). In certain embodiments, the percent inhibition is achieved when the antisense compound is delivered to HuVec cells at a concentration of 50 nm.

Multiple leads with apparent activity greater than the historical ASO lead sequence, SEQ ID No. 15 (ISIS 124238), were identified in both exonic and intronic sequences.

Dose response studies on nine highly active sequences (SEQ ID Nos: 28, 30, 39, 40, 45, 52, 56, 78, 125) were completed (see FIG. 8). SEQ NO. 13 and 15 (ISIS 124212 and 124238) are the previously designated oligonucleotides and SEQ ID No: 167 (ISIS 141923, sequence CCTTCCCTGA AGGTTCCTCC) is the negative control.

Materials and Methods

Oligonucleotides were screened and confirmed at a concentration 50 nM in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HuVEC) using Lipofectin mediated transfection. HuVEC cells from Cascade Biologics (Portland, Oreg.) maintained in Medium 200 supplemented with Low Serum Growth Supplement (from Cascade Biologics) were plated into 96-well plates at 5,000 cells per well and incubated overnight at 37° C. in the presence of 5% CO₂. The following day the medium was aspirated and replaced with prewarmed Opti-MEM I (Invitrogen) containing Oligo-Lipofectamine 2000 (Invitrogen) mixture (3 mg of Lipofectamine 2000 per 1 ml of Opti-MEM I medium). After 4 hours, the transfection mixture was exchanged for fresh Medium 200 supplemented with Low Serum Growth Supplement and incubated at 37° C. in the presence of 5% CO₂. After 16-24 hours, at approximately 80% confluence, the cells were washed with phosphate buffer saline (PBS) and lysed for RNA purification with the Qiagen RNeasy Kit. CTGF message was measured by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) (Primer/Probe sets shown below) and the results were normalized to total RNA.

Statistical Analysis

Each sample was analyzed in duplicate, and vertical bars represent the spread between the two measurements.

Results and Discussion

Of the approximately 150 novel sequences per target synthesized and evaluated for activity against CTGF in cell-culture, the new CTGF oligonucleotides (SEQ ID NOs: 28, 30, 39, 40, 45, 52, 56, 78, 125, and 166) show excellent inhibition of human CTGF mRNA expression. The highly active oligonucleotides identified are provided in FIG. 7.

A number of new intronic (FIGS. 4, 5 and 6) and exonic (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) oligonucleotides surprisingly are significantly more active than the historical previously screened compounds, including ISIS 124238.

The efficiency of antisense targeting exons is generally higher than those targeting introns. (FIG. 7A). A listing of these exonic nucleotide sequences are provided in FIG. 7B.

The top 10 most active antisense oligonucleotides were confirmed in dose response experiments in HuVEC cells using the method described above.

Example 9 Western Blot Analysis of Connective Tissue Growth Factor Protein Levels

Western blot analysis (immunoblot analysis) is carried out using standard methods. Cells are harvested 16-20 hours after oligonucleotide treatment, washed once with PBS, suspended in Laemmli buffer (100 μl/well), boiled for 5 minutes and loaded on a 16% SDS-PAGE gel. Gels are run for 1.5 hours at 150 V, and transferred to membrane for western blotting. Appropriate primary antibody directed to connective tissue growth factor is used, with a radiolabelled or fluorescently labeled secondary antibody directed against the primary antibody species. Bands are visualized using a PHOSPHORIMAGER™ (Molecular Dynamics, Sunnyvale Calif.).

Example 10 CTGF Antisense Oligonucleotide Pilot Mouse Toxicology Study

Study Objective

The purpose of this pilot toxicology study was to evaluate three oligonucleotides targeting human CTGF for potential toxicity in normal male BALB/c mice. The oligonucleotides tested were ISIS sequences 412294 (SEQ ID NO: 39), 412295 (SEQ ID NO: 40), and 418899 (SEQ ID NO: 166).

Methods

Male BALB/c mice (approximately 8 weeks old) weighing approximately 25 grams were fed a normal lab chow diet throughout the study. The mice were dosed subcutaneously (SQ) twice per week with 25 or 50 mg/kg antisense oligonucleotides for 4 weeks (n=6). The following endpoints were measured:

-   -   Weekly Body Weights;     -   Blood Plasma Chemistries at 4 weeks;     -   Organ weight, Body weight at necropsy; and     -   H&E stain of Liver and Kidney.

Results

Results following 4 weeks of dosing with 25 mg/kg or 50 mg/kg antisense oligonucleotide ISIS 412294 (SEQ ID NO: 39), ISIS 412295 (SEQ ID NO: 40) or ISIS 418899 (SEQ ID NO:166) indicate a number of end-points differing significantly from the saline-treated control group of mice. These included:

-   1) Plasma alanine aminotranferease (ALT) and aspartate     aminotransferase (AST) levels following 4 weeks of treatment with 25     mg/kg or 50 mg/kg of ISIS 412294 (SEQ ID NO: 39) or ISIS 412295 (SEQ     ID NO: 40), or with 25 mg/kg of ISIS 418899 (SEQ ID NO: 166) were     similar to the levels in the saline (vehicle) control, however mice     dosed with 50 mg/kg of ISIS 418899 (SEQ ID NO: 166), show     significantly increased ALT/AST levels above the values observed in     the control group (see FIGS. 9A and 9B). This was a suprising result     that was not predicted in previous studies or by the cell based     assays. -   2) Weight gain for the 50 mg/kg 412295-treated group was     significantly lower than the weight gain in the control group (see     FIG. 10).

Conclusion

SEQ ID NO:39 (ISIS 412294) did not exhibit as many undesirable toxicological characteristics as SEQ ID NO:40 (ISIS 412295) and SEQ ID NO:166 (ISIS 418899). This result was entirely unexpected, and was not predicted by the cell culture behavior of these oligonucleotide sequences.

Example 11 Effect of a Rat CTGF Antisense Oligonucleotide (SEQ ID NO:163) on Collagen and CTGF mRNA Expression in Wounded Rats

Objective

CTGF antisense oligonucleotide SEQ ID NO:163 (ISIS 412442) was used to examine the ability of a CTGF antisense oligonucleotide to reduce expression both of CTGF and Col1A2 (a biomarker of scarring) in a rat animal model of scarring. This antisense oligonucleotide has an identical chemical structure as SEQ ID NO:39 (ISIS 412294), however the sequence has been modified slightly to be 100% complimentary to the rat CTGF mRNA sequence.

Wounding

Four full-thickness 0.8 centimeter biopsy punches were introduced into the backs of 10 week old hairless rats (day 1 of study), two on each side of the spinal mid-line. The wounds were left open, but dressed with a sterile occlusive bandage.

Antisense Oligonucleotide Dosing

The two biopsy sites on the right side of the animal were treated intra-dermally with the CTGF antisense oligonucleotide on Days 1, 5, 9, and 13 post-biopsy at either 3.0, 1.0, 0.3 or 0.1 mg antisense oligonucleotide. Biopsy sites on the left side of the animal were treated intra-dermally with phosphate buffer saline (PBS). The animals were sacrificed on Day 15 post-biopsy. A total volume of 200 μl of antisense oligonucleotide or PBS was delivered to each punch biopsy site. This 200 μl volume was divided into four 50 μl aliquots which were injected around the wound's periphery, at approximately 0.25 cm to 0.5 cm to the left, right, top, and bottom sides of the wound.

Sample Harvest/Sacrifice

On the sacrifice date, the animals were euthanized and a sample of skin from the center of the wound was obtained with a 0.5 cm biopsy punch, and mRNA was extracted from these samples using standard procedures. RT-PCR mRNA analysis of rat CTGF and Col1A2 was performed using the standard curve methodology for data analysis and RiboGreen as the housekeeping/normalization gene.

Results

Treatment of the rats at all doses resulted in a statistically significant reduction in both CTGF and Col1A2 mRNA expression (see FIG. 11). These results clearly demonstrate that inhibition of CTGF expression with a 2′MOE modified antisense oligonucleotide will decrease the deposition of collagen in skin, which will result in a reduction in the severity of skin scar formation.

Example 12 A Single-Dose Intra-Dermal Pharmacokinetic Study of CTGF Antigens Oligonucleotide in Rabbits

Study Objective

The purpose of this pharmacokinetic study in rabbit is to evaluate the concentration of a CTGF antisense oligonucleotide (SEQ ID NO:39, ISIS 412294) in rabbit skin at different times subsequent to a single intra-dermal injection.

Study Design

On day 0 of the study all animals were dosed intra-dermally (ID) with a single 100 μL injection of CTGF antisense oligonucleotide SEQ ID NO:39 at a concentration of 50 mg/mL (5 mg total dose). The animals were dosed with the antisense oligonucleotide in a site to the left of the spinal mid-line, roughly parallel to the rabbit's shoulders. The needle was inserted so that the test material was injected down towards the base of the animal's body. On days 1, 3, 7 or 14, the rabbits were euthanized and two full-thickness 1.0 cm punch biopsies were obtained, one centered over the original injection site and the other vertically below spaced 0.5 cm apart. The samples were snap frozen and stored at −80° C. prior to analysis of the antisense oligonucleotide drug levels. Results represent the mean antisense oligonucleotide levels from both biopsies at the indicated time.

Results and Conclusions

Significant levels of the antisense oligonucleotide are present up to at least day 14 after intradermal dosing (see FIG. 12). Therapeutic concentrations of drug are between 1 and 100 μg/gram tissues. These results demonstrated that for the first time there is a prolonged residence time of a 2′MOE antisense oligonucleotide with this chemical configuration in skin, and these results clearly show the therapeutic potential of this class of compound in skin.

Example 13 Genome Search

The potential for SEQ ID NO:39 to induce unwanted antisense effects that could translate into “off-target” toxicity was assessed by conducting a search of the human genome database for sequences that have complete or partial homology or complimentarity with the SEQ ID NO:39 nucleotide sequence.

A comprehensive search of published human DNA sequence databases was conducted to evaluate whether sequences that comprise SEQ ID NO:39 have sufficient homology with the known array of human genes, such that unwanted antisense or other inhibitory activity could be exerted against expression of human gene products other than the target CTGF (connective tissue growth factor) and thereby induce “off-target” effects. The search entailed screening for homologous sequences ranging from 20 nucleotides (i.e., the full length of SEQ ID NO:39 down to 12 nucleotides.

No off-target sites were detected in the human genome with 20, 19 or 18 bases of homology with SEQ ID NO:39. The complete absence of off-target sites with 18, 19 or 20 bases indicates that the likelihood of any consequential off-target activity is minimal. Three 17-base homologies with SEQ ID NO:39 were indentified. One of these is within the intron of the LRFN2 gene. Introns are typically spliced out of the transcript before the mRNA arrives in the cytoplasm, the site of action of SEQ ID NO:39. For this reason, SEQ ID NO:39 is not expected to affect LRFN2 expression. The two other 17-base homologies are located within inter-gene spacer regions. Inter-gene spacers are generally not transcribed but exist as double-stranded DNA in the nuclear compartment, separate from the site of action of SEQ ID NO:39. Hence, there were no 17-base homologies of concern.

Among the 16-base, 15-base and 14-base homologies found, only one was located within a known or suspected transcript (i.e., FRMD5, which encodes a lipid biosynthesis transferase active in the liver). However, the 14-base SEQ ID NO:39 homology with an mRNA sense transcript would not be conducive to antisense activity (i.e., hybridization would only be possible if a portion of the SEQ ID NO:39 sequence was complementary, not homologous, to the mRNA transcript sequence). Therefore, SEQ ID NO:39 will not affect this transcript. All other 16-base through 14-base homologies corresponded to introns or inter-gene spacers with no overlapping transcripts, predicted transcripts or expressed sequence tags. There were no 13-base homologies. Any transcripts based on only 12-nucleotide homology or shorter would present a thermodynamically unfavorable target, compared to the binding of a 20-base oligonucleotide like SEQ ID NO:39 with its intended target. Therefore, 12-base and shorter homologies do not present a significant potential for off-target antisense activity.

Therefore, the human genome database search showed that SEQ ID NO:39 has a high degree of specificity for the intended target with minimal potential for off-target effects.

Example 14 A Phase 1 Single-Dose Intra-Dermal Clinical Study to Assess the Safety and Tolerability of a CTGF Antisense Oligonucleotide (SEQ ID NO:39)

Study Objectives

The human CTGF antisense oligonucleotide SEQ ID NO:39 (Isis No. 412294) was administered to six patients by intra-dermal dosing (80 mg total dose) as part of a Phase 1 study protocol to assess the safety and tolerability of a single dose of drug.

Results

No adverse events were reported other than local injection site reactions such as erythema, inflammation, itching, and induration. The adverse events listed were reported in approximately 50% of the subjects at a severity level of “minimal”. No changes were noted in serum chemistry, hematology, urinalysis, ECGs, vital signs, physical exams, and complement activation.

Conclusions

The administration of the CTGF antisense oligonucleotide at doses anticipated to be within the therapeutic range is well tolerated in humans, demonstrating the safety of this compound for treating skin scarring.

Example 15 Antisense Oligonculeotide SEQ ID NO:39 Drug Levels in Human Skin Following Intra-Dermal Dosing

Skin drug levels were evaluated in a cohort of patients in an initial clinical study, where 5 patients each received 40 mg of the antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) (administered as 10 equal doses of 4 mg each). Skin biopsies were obtained 21 days following the single-dose administration of the ASO on Day 1, at the site of the simulated surgical wound (drawn line on skin as a reference for dosing locations). The punch biopsy consisted of a 4-mm cylindrical core of tissue sample. Levels of the ASO were determined using capillary electrophoresis and fluorescently-labeled sequence-specific probes and were 84.2 μg/gram of tissue. Projected therapeutic concentrations of the ASO drug are anticipated to be between 1 and 100 μg/gram tissues.

These results demonstrated that for the first time there is a prolonged residence time of a 2′MOE antisense oligonucleotide with this chemical configuration in human skin after intradermal administration, and these results clearly show the therapeutic potential of this class of compound in skin.

Example 16 A Phase 2 Randomized, Double-Blind, within-Subject Controlled Clinical Efficacy and Safety Study of SEQ ID NO:39 On Reducing Scar Severity in Subjects Undergoing an Elective Abdominoplasty

This study is a randomized, double-blind, within-subject controlled study evaluating efficacy and safety of CTGF antisense oligonucleotide SEQ ID NO:39 (i.e. the drug product). The drug product is administered adjacent to both sides of the abdominoplasty incision via intradermal injections in subjects undergoing an elective abdominoplasty.

A section of the abdominoplasty incision on either side of the midline, just lateral to the pubic hair, is treated with drug product or placebo, after the surgical incision is closed.

The study duration is approximately 24 weeks. Subjects receive the abdominoplasty on Day 1, followed by dosing of the drug product and placebo over a 10 week period. Scar observation and assessment are performed every 4 weeks up to week 12, and again at week 24.

Efficacy is determined by ratings of each matched pair of incisions.

Efficacy is evaluated at weeks 12 and 24 following the abdominoplasty surgery using the following two methods of rating severity of incisional scars:

-   -   Expert panel assessment of blinded photographs using visual         analog scale (VAS);     -   Investigator Scar Assessment Scale Subject Scar Assessment         Scale;

SEQ ID NO:39 is efficacious by these criteria.

Example 17 A Phase 2 Randomized, Double-Blind, within-Subject Controlled Clinical Efficacy and Safety Study of SEQ ID NO:39 in Reducing Skin Scarring in Subjects Undergoing an Elective Revision of Medial Scars Resulting from Prior Breast Reduction or Mastopexy Surgery

This study is a randomized, double-blind, within-subject controlled study evaluating efficacy and safety of CTGF antisense oligonucleotide SEQ ID NO:39 (i.e. the drug product). The drug product is administered to the medial portion of the revised breast reduction scars via intradermal injections. A section of either side of the medial portion of the revised breast wound/scar is treated with drug product or placebo, after the surgical incision is closed.

Up to 40 subjects are recruited into this study. The study duration is approximately 24 weeks. The subjects receive the scar revisions on Day 1, followed by drug product and placebo dosing over a 10-week period. Scar observation and assessment are performed every 4 weeks up to week 12, and again at week 24.

Efficacy is determined by ratings each matched pair of incisions. Efficacy is evaluated at weeks 12 and 24 following revision of the medial portions of the breast reduction scar using two methods of rating severity of incisional scars:

-   -   Expert panel assessment of blinded photographs using visual         analog scale (VAS);     -   Investigator Scar Assessment Scale Subject Scar         Assessment Scale

SEQ ID NO:39 is efficacious by these criteria. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A compound which comprises a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 12-30 linked nucleosides, at least a 12 nucleobase sequence portion of which is complementary to nucleotides within the region selected from nucleotides 718-751, 1388-1423, 1394-1423, 1659-1689, 2100-2129 and 1399-1423 of SEQ ID NO: 9 or 2728-2797 of SEQ ID NO:10 wherein the modified oligonucleotide comprises: (a) a gap segment consisting of linked deoxynucleosides; (b) a 5′ wing segment consisting of linked modified nucleosides; and (c) a 3′ wing segment consisting of linked modified nucleosides; wherein the gap segment is positioned between the 5′ wing segment and the 3′ wing segment and wherein at least one modified nucleoside within each wing segment comprises a modified sugar.
 2. A compound of claim 1, wherein the modified oligonucleotide consists of 20 linked nucleosides.
 3. The compound of claim 1, wherein the modified oligonucleotide comprises at least 14 linked nucleosides.
 4. The compound of claim 1, wherein the modified oligonucleotide is a single-stranded oligonucleotide.
 5. The compound of claim 1, wherein the modified oligonucleotide is a double-stranded oligonucleotide.
 6. The compound of claim 1, wherein the modified oligonucleotide comprises at least one modified internucleoside linkage.
 7. The compound of claim 6, wherein at least one modified internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate internucleoside linkage.
 8. The compound of claim 7, where all of the internucleoside linkages are phosphorothioate internucleoside linkages.
 9. The compound of claim 1, wherein at least two modified nucleosides of each wing segment comprise a modified sugar.
 10. The compound of claim 9, wherein at least one of the modified sugars of each wing segment is a bicyclic sugar.
 11. The compound of claim 9, wherein at least one of the modified sugars of each wing segment comprises a 2′-O-methoxyethyl.
 12. The compound of claim 1, wherein the modified oligonucleotide comprises at least one tetrahydropyran modified nucleoside wherein a tetrahydropyran ring replaces the furanose ring.
 13. The compound of claim 12, wherein each of the at least one tetrahydropyran modified nucleoside has the structure:

wherein Bx is an optionally protected heterocyclic base moiety.
 14. The compound of claim 1, wherein the modified oligonucleotide comprises at least one modified nucleobase.
 15. The compound of claim 14, wherein at least one modified nucleobase is a 5′-methylcytosine.
 16. The compound of claim 1, wherein the modified oligonucleotide comprises: (a) a gap segment consisting of thirteen deoxynucleosides; (b) a 5′ wing segment consisting of two linked modified nucleosides; and (c) a 3′ wing segment consisting of five linked modified nucleosides; wherein the gap segment is positioned between the 5′ wing segment and the 3′ wing segment, wherein each modified nucleoside within each wing segment comprises a 2′-O-methoxyethyl sugar; and wherein each internucleoside linkage is a phosphorothioate linkage.
 17. The compound of claim 16, wherein the modified oligonucleotide consists of 20 linked nucleosides.
 18. The compound of claim 1, wherein the at least 12 nucleobase sequence portion is complementary to nucleotides within the region selected from nucleotides 1399-1423, 1394-1423, and 1388-1423 of SEQ ID NO:9.
 19. The compound of claim 18, wherein the at least 12 nucleobase sequence portion is present within the nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 37, 38, 39, 40 or
 166. 20. The compound of claim 1, wherein the at least 12 nucleobase sequence portion is complementary to nucleotides within the region of nucleotides 718-751 of SEQ ID NO:
 9. 21. The compound of claim 20, wherein the at least 12 nucleobase sequence portion is present within the nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 29, 30 or
 31. 22. The compound of claim 1, wherein the at least 12 nucleobase sequence portion is complementary to nucleotides within the region of nucleotides 2728-2797 of SEQ ID NO:
 10. 23. The compound of claim 22, wherein the at least 12 nucleobase sequence portion is present within the nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 151, 152, 153 or
 154. 24. The compound of claim 1, wherein the at least 12 nucleobase sequence portion is complementary to nucleotides within the region of nucleotides 1659-1689 of SEQ ID NO:
 9. 25. The compound of claim 24, wherein the at least 12 nucleobase sequence portion is present within the nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 54, 55 or
 56. 26. The compound of claim 1, wherein the at least 12 nucleobase sequence portion is complementary to nucleotides within the region of nucleotides 2100-2129 of SEQ ID NO:
 9. 27. The compound of claim 26, wherein the at least 12 nucleobase sequence portion is present within the nucleobase sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 77, 78, 79, 80 or
 81. 28. A compound which comprises a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 12-30 linked nucleosides, at least a 12 nucleobase sequence portion of which is complementary to nucleotides within the region selected from nucleotides 1457-1689, 2120-2147, 2267-2301, 553-611, 1469-1508 and 1559-1605 of SEQ ID NO: 9, wherein the modified oligonucleotide comprises (a) a gap segment consisting of linked deoxynucleosides; (b) a 5′ wing segment consisting of linked modified nucleosides; and (c) a 3′ wing segment consisting of linked modified nucleosides; wherein the gap segment is positioned between the 5′ wing segment and the 3′ wing segment and wherein each modified nucleoside within each wing segment comprises a modified sugar; and wherein the compound demonstrates at least 60% inhibition in a human connective tissue growth factor expression assay.
 29. A compound which comprises a modified oligonucleotide consisting of 14-30 linked nucleosides, at least a 14 nucleobase sequence portion of which is complementary to nucleotides within the region selected from nucleotides 2040-2069 of SEQ ID NO: 9, wherein the modified oligonucleotide comprises (a) a gap segment consisting of linked deoxynucleosides; (b) a 5′ wing segment consisting of linked modified nucleosides; and (c) a 3′ wing segment consisting of linked modified nucleosides; wherein the gap segment is positioned between the 5′ wing segment and the 3′ wing segment and wherein each modified nucleoside within each wing segment comprises a modified sugar.
 30. An antisense oligonucleotide consisting of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:37, SEQ ID NO:38, SEQ ID NO:39, SEQ ID NO:40 or SEQ ID NO:166, said antisense oligonucleotide further characterized as having, from 5′ to 3′ direction: a 5′ wing segment consisting of two nucleotides, a gap segment consisting of 13 nucleotides, and a 3′ wing segment consisting of five nucleotides; wherein each nucleotide of said 5′ and 3′ wing segments comprises a 2′-O-methoxyethyl sugar; wherein each nucleotide of said gap segment comprises a deoxyribose sugar; wherein each cytosine base of said antisense oligonucleotide is a 5′-methylcytosine; and wherein the internucleotide linkages between each nucleotide of said antisense oligonucleotide are phophorothioate linkages.
 31. A composition comprising the compound of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 32. A composition comprising the compound of claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of such compound.
 33. A composition comprising the compound of claim 1 formulated for topical administration.
 34. A composition comprising the compound of claim 1 formulated for subcutaneous administration.
 35. A composition comprising the compound of claim 1 formulated for local administration into fibrotic tissue.
 36. A composition comprising the compound of claim 1 formulated for intradermal administration.
 37. The compound of claim 18, wherein the at least 12 nucleobase sequence portion is complementary to nucleotides within the region of nucleotides 1399-1423 of SEQ ID NO:9.
 38. The compound of claim 18, wherein the at least 12 nucleobase sequence portion is complementary to nucleotides within the region of nucleotides 1394-1423 of SEQ ID NO:9.
 39. The compound of claim 18, wherein the at least 12 nucleobase sequence portion is complementary to nucleotides with the region of nucleotides 1388-1423 of SEQ ID NO:9.
 40. The compound of claim 16, wherein the modified oligonucleotide comprises at least one modified nucleobase.
 41. The compound of claim 40, wherein at least one modified nucleobase is a 5′-methylcytosine.
 42. The compound of claim 1, wherein each wing segment comprises at least one modified sugar and at least one modified internucleoside linkage, and wherein the gap segment comprises at least one modified nucleobase and at least one modified internucleoside linkage.
 43. The compound of claim 1, wherein each wing segment comprises at least one 2′-O-methoxyethyl modified sugar.
 44. The compound of claim 1, wherein the gap segment comprises at least one 5′-methylcytosine modified nucleobase.
 45. The compound of claim 1, wherein the gap segment is 8-15 nucleotides in length.
 46. The compound of claim 1, wherein the modified oligonucleotide has a structure of formula X-Y-Z, wherein X represents the length of the 5′ wing segment, Y represents the length of the gap segment, and Z represents the length of the 3′ wing segment, wherein X-Y-Z is selected from the group consisting of 2-13-5, 5-10-5, 4-8-4, 4-12-3, 4-12-4, 3-14-3, 2-16-2, 1-18-1, 3-10-3, 2-10-2, 1-10-1, and 2-8-2.
 47. The antisense oligonucleotide of claim 30, wherein the antisense oligonucleotide consists of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:37.
 48. The antisense oligonucleotide of claim 30, wherein the antisense oligonucleotide consists of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:38.
 49. The antisense oligonucleotide of claim 30, wherein the antisense oligonucleotide consists of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:39.
 50. The antisense oligonucleotide of claim 30, wherein the antisense oligonucleotide consists of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:40.
 51. The antisense oligonucleotide of claim 30, wherein the antisense oligonucleotide consists of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:166. 